AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose will battle for Blue Brand supremacy at the first-ever "SmackDown Live" exclusive event.
The "Phenomenal One" defeated Dolph Ziggler on Tuesday night to crown himself the No. 1 contender for the "Lunatic Fringe's" WWE Championship at Backlash on Sept. 11 at the Richmond Coliseum in Virginia.
Styles is definitely the logical choice to serve as No. 1 contender after knocking off face of the franchise John Cena at SummerSlam in what was easily the Match of the Night. Not only is Styles the perfect person to go after Ambrose and his title, he also should emerge victorious.
Here are three reasons why Styles should escape Backlash with the WWE Championship for the first time.
1) He's Paid His Dues
Styles has wrestled all over the world before ending up with the WWE, gaining notoriety in such places as Ring of Honor, TNA and New Japan Pro Wrestling. Sure, to Vince McMahon that likely doesn't mean anything, but he has still put in the work to make it all the way to the No. 1 wrestling promotion in the world, where he is currently thriving.
Within the WWE, he's also paid his dues in his short time on the main roster. He had a solid feud with Chris Jericho, which saw him actually lose his first WrestleMania match back in April, and then he carried Roman Reigns to two Match of the Year contenders. Roman freakin' Reigns. He's had great matches with anyone he's been tossed in the squared circle against, so Styles deserves to be rewarded.
2) Ambrose Hasn't Worked Out
It was a great moment to see Ambrose finally win the WWE's richest prize at Money in the Bank, but thus far his reign hasn't panned out as well as some members of the WWE Universe have hoped. He plays an unhinged character, so it make sense that he's awkward on the microphone and was an odd presence on "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's podcast, but something just isn't clicking.
He also hasn't had too many memorable title defenses up to this point. It appeared as though he and Ziggler were poised to steal the show at SummerSlam, but their contest was underwhelming at best. As much as it sucks to abandon Ambrose as he still has potential to be a top star, he may need some seasoning before carrying "SmackDown Live."
3) He Really Is 'Phenomenal'
Styles isn't just dubbed the "Phenomenal One," but he lives up to the moniker night in and night out. He's only been on the main roster since the Royal Rumble and he's already put on several Match of the Year candidates. HIs bout with Cena on Sunday will go down in SummerSlam lore as one of the all-time greatest matches in that nearly three-decade old event. Before the WWE Draft, we pegged Styles as a potential carrier of the "SmackDown Live" brand.
No matter what program he's been thrown into, Styles has thrived. His heel turn had some rough patches in the beginning, but now that he's on his own and has grown into the persona, his promos are on point and have started to match his in-ring abilities. Styles has the "it" factor that WWE is looking for in a star who can potentially carry "SmackDown Live."
