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AJ Styles just became the longest reigning WWE Champion in SmackDown's history when he surpassed JBL's reign of 280 days. Styles defeated Jinder Mahal back in November to win his second world championship and ever since, the Phenomenal One has defeated all opponents put in front of him.
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He is currently in a feud with Samoa Joe which many consider as the best feud of this year. Till date, this has been a phenomenal title reign but all things must come to an end.
Here are five credible Superstars who can dethrone the face that runs the place.
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#1 Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe is one of the biggest threat to AJ Styles' reign. The current feud between AJ and Joe is nothing short of a blockbuster. The intensity that Joe has brought into his promos and the incredible storytelling has made this feud feel realistic.
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It is surprising to see that Samoa Joe has not won a single gold in the main roster despite being one of the most skilled wrestlers. A Samoa Joe title victory at Hell in a Cell or at WWE Super Showdown can elevate this feud furthermore.
WWE seems to have high hopes for Joe and Joe has all the potential to be one the best WWE Champions of all time.
#2 Randy Orton
Randy Orton had a lacklustre run for major parts of 2017 and 2018. He was in serious need of character change to stay relevant in WWE although he remains as the last of full-timers in the company from the Ruthless Aggression era.
Orton took some time off and made a surprise return at the Extreme Rules 2018 where he turned heel in a devastating manner by attacking a vulnerable Jeff Hardy. He has continued to attack Jeff Hardy on multiple occasions, and he even tried to wipe out his identity.
Orton's new character change has been made him interesting, and it is also going over with fans. A feud with one of the biggest babyfaces of the brands is definitely on the cards for Randy Orton.
#3 Daniel Bryan
It does not make any sense not to mention Daniel Bryan's name while putting a list of future WWE Champions. It is almost inevitable that Daniel Bryan will become the WWE Champion in the near future.
Daniel Bryan came out of retirement earlier this year, and his WrestleMania return showed that he is still over with fans like he was four years ago. Daniel Bryan is currently involved in a stellar feud with his arch-nemesis The Miz. The feud could be paused, while Daniel Bryan wins the WWE Championship so that their epic battle could conclude at WrestleMania 35.
Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles are two of the biggest babyfaces in Smackdown Live. Daniel Bryan is one few wrestlers who are technical as sound as AJ in terms of in-ring skills. A feud between these two can blow the roofs of the arena.
#4 Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy has embarked on a single's journey ever since his return in April this year. He won the United States title the very next week of his return. He dropped the to Shinsuke Nakamura at Extreme Rules and is currently involved in a program with Randy Orton.
It was wise of WWE to drop the US title of Jeff Hardy so that he could move onto bigger things. Jeff Hardy is one few Superstars who are loved by all and hated by none. Jeff is still over with the fans and WWE might try to give him one last run as WWE Champion before he decides to call it a day.
AJ and Jeff have never collided with each other in WWE ring before. Both these wrestlers are known to put amazing matches week after week.
#5 The Miz
The Miz has been the must-see Superstar since 2016. He has been constantly delivering with his promos, his storylines are usually fresh, and also interesting.
He is currently in an 8-year long rivalry, and his next match with Daniel Bryan at Super Showdown will determine the No.1 contender for the WWE Championship. SmackdDwn Live has lacked a genuine heel WWE Champion, and Miz is a guy who the WWE Universe just loves to hate. His ability to make any feud personal is one of the biggest positive.
A feud between AJ Styles and The Miz can even become the biggest feud of this year. A Wrestlemania main event with Miz as the WWE Champion against Daniel Bryan is definitely a dream come true for many fans.
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