I must admit I liked the segment between AJ Styles and Shane McMahon. The Phenomenal One finally has a match at WrestleMania 33 in Orlando. Not because of the match between the former WWE World Champion and the Commissioner of SmackDown Live, but because it was well done and gave fans a chance to see a meaner side of Styles.
I’m not a huge fan of McMahon wrestling in his second straight WrestleMania event, but if it proves once and for all that Styles is the company’s best performer and the best heel on the Blue Team’s roster, then it is the best thing for business.
[DavidL]
There is a debate as to who is the best heel on Tuesday nights. It’s a close horse race between The Miz and Styles. One has had to grow into his character – the other seems to have naturally born to play the role. Styles was supposed to come to WWE and take over the mid card.
His popularity and execution in the ring made the company take notice and for once listen to the fans. It’s a 180-degree turn that has paid off. The result is a wrestler who has challenged authority in a 1990s-style segment that could prove to be the precursor to a surprisingly good match in Orlando.
Since the WWE has decided to put its eggs in Bray Wyatt’s basket with its top title, Styles needs a main event type of angle. Luke Harper doesn’t present that challenge. The Miz is wrapped up in John Cena’s Kool Aid and there isn’t anyone else on the roster that makes sense right now.
Oh, how I wish Nakamura would walk down the aisle and give the fans what they wanted. A match with Mr. Strong Style would have certainly been worthy of a WWE main event.
If there is a debate over which character is the best heel in WWE today, then let’s break it down like this. Styles is doing this on his own. AJ Styles has no members of the Bullet Club to support him. No support from management to get himself over. He also does not have a manager or valet to walk him down to the ring. His mic work is getting better and the evil streak he has developed in recent weeks is exactly why he is the best – hands down.
Every opponent has faced since moving over to the Blue Team with the brand extension has shown off his ability in the ring. Much like Kevin Owens, who faced John Cena, Cesaro, Sami Zayn, etc. Styles has shown his ability to adapt to his opponents’ strengths.
Best of all, the company will continue to put him in the main event because he delivers night after night.
If the criteria of determining who is best is based on a body of work, then Styles wins, hands down. The Miz, Randy Orton, Wyatt and others may have their moments, but none have taken WWE by storm the way The Phenomenal One has. It’s only a matter of time before he wears gold again. Others in this conversation have to wait and hope the company sees the value in making them its evil leader.