5 major opponents AJ Styles still hasn't faced in WWE

It's been two and a half years since AJ Styles took his first steps in a WWE ring, and despite initial concerns that his unique in-ring talents might be wasted by his new employers, he's already become one of the company's most important players.

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True to his reputation as one of the leading technicians of his generation, The Phenomenal One has treated us to a host of classic matches. His three-bout series opposite John Cena, for example, was among the best trilogies WWE has ever staged, despite the fact that the duo had previously had no history of working together.

Besides the above, he has also shared superb matches with the likes of Dean Ambrose, Finn Balor, Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar and even Shane McMahon, the latter of whom managed to put on perhaps the best pure wrestling encounter of his career when he fought AJ in a Street Fight at last year's WrestleMania 33.

With so many great memories, it's easy to forget that there is still plenty that the reigning World Heavyweight Champion is yet to do. Specifically, we're talking about the handful of major opponents who he still hasn't met in a WWE ring.

#5 Braun Strowman

On paper, AJ Styles versus Braun Strowman seems like a complete mismatch. They're at least three weight classes apart, and it would be practically impossible for AJ to even lift his opponent off the mat, let alone nail him with the Styles Clash.

That's also exactly what makes the prospect such an intriguing one, though. The Phenomenal One is nothing if not inventive in the ring, and watching him attempt to bring Braun down to size would be a rare wrestling treat.

Lest we forget, AJ shared one of the best WWE matches of 2017 with Brock Lesnar, a similarly tough heavyweight for whom high-flying doesn't exactly come naturally. Under the right circumstances, he could easily reproduce a bout of this quality against The Monster Among Men.

#4 Samoa Joe

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Samoa Joe's clashes with AJ Styles in the TNA ring are the stuff of wrestling legend, but incredibly the pair are yet to meet in singles competition in WWE, having been on opposite brands for most of their time on the main roster.

However, that may change pretty soon. Having been moved over to SmackDown in this year's Superstar Shake-Up, Joe is perfectly placed to make a run at AJ's WWE Championship, especially after Rusev's challenge fell by the wayside at Extreme Rules.

If and when they do get in the ring together, a wrestling clinic is virtually guaranteed. It's just a shame that Christopher Daniels isn't around to recreate that amazing triple threat from Unbreakable 2005.

#3 Bobby Roode

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Like Samoa Joe, Bobby Roode was one of AJ's biggest foes during their time in TNA, having fought opposite him in a number of World Heavyweight Championship bouts in the early 2010s. However, he too is yet to grapple with The Phenomenal One in WWE.

It's a match that isn't likely to happen any time soon, either. Roode, for now, remains on Monday Night Raw, and although he's slowly climbing towards the top of the card, he's nowhere near ready to challenge for one of the company's biggest prizes.

In a year's time, though, this may well become a reality - and, if it does, it ought to be brilliant in-ring spectacle, particularly if they are given a strong face versus heel storyline to work their matches around.

#2 Jeff Hardy

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Admittedly, AJ Styles versus Jeff Hardy is not quite the "dream match" that it would have been a decade ago. Jeff has slowed down dramatically in the ring, and his overall popularity has suffered in the time he spent away from WWE.

That said, it still sounds like an appealing prospect. A veteran or not, Matt's little brother is still one of WWE's most unique and daring performers. Putting him opposite an innovator like AJ is bound to be a recipe for jaw-dropping stunts.

It's unlikely to be a WWE Title match, sure, but if The Phenomenal One ever has to take a break from the main event, he could do much worse than feud with Jeff for a couple of months.

#1 Seth Rollins

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While AJ has already shared lengthy feuds with Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose, he is yet to grapple with the third member of The Shield, who has been a Monday Night Raw mainstay while he has taken the mantle of SmackDown's leading man.

For most fans, this is an absolute dream encounter. Not only are they two of the most popular and charismatic members of the roster, they're also among the most talented and polished in-ring workers anywhere in professional wrestling.

This could also prove to be an important step in the career of Seth Rollins, a man who has struggled to return to the top of the card since a series of ill-timed injuries a couple of years ago. He's crying out for The Phenomenal One's help.