AJ Styles appears to be nearing the end of his WWE career, with his upcoming match against GUNTHER scheduled for the Royal Rumble premium live event. Before that, Styles is set to have one final match on SmackDown the night prior, offering a last opportunity for fans to see him in action on the blue brand. The question remains: who will face him in this potentially significant farewell bout?
Possible Contenders for Styles’ Last SmackDown Appearance
One intriguing candidate is Sami Zayn, who will compete for the WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre at the Royal Rumble. A match between Styles and Zayn on SmackDown could serve as a dramatic build-up to Zayn’s title challenge the following night. Both performers have the capability to craft a compelling storyline by starting cautiously and escalating the intensity throughout the match, making for a captivating encounter.
Styles and Zayn have not faced each other in a one-on-one match for over three years, which adds to the appeal of revisiting this rivalry as Styles heads toward the conclusion of his SmackDown run. Their chemistry and ability to tell a story inside the ring could provide a memorable send-off for Styles on the Friday night show.
Significance of a Final SmackDown Match and Future Outlook
Having a high-profile farewell match before the Royal Rumble would not only honor AJ Styles’ contributions but also set an emotional tone ahead of his bout with GUNTHER. A final SmackDown match against a compelling opponent like Sami Zayn would highlight Styles’ legacy as he potentially transitions away from regular WWE programming. Fans will be keen to see how WWE orchestrates this last chapter for Styles and what direction his career might take following the Royal Rumble event.
