5 Potential Storylines For SmackDown Live After WWE TLC 2018

Modified Dec 17, 2018 06:48 GMT

The reign of The Empress of Tomorrow has begun

#4. An unusual feud for AJ Styles

Since AJ Styles has now failed to capture the WWE Championship and has failed to win his third world title in the WWE, following his loss to Daniel Bryan at TLC, it is about time 'The Phenomenal One' shifts his focus towards something completely fresh and new and something that doesn't involve the WWE Title.

For well over a year, Styles has been in possession of the WWE Championship and there is no reason in the world for him to play the role of a challenger heading into WrestleMania as well. Rather why not have him get into a long-term program with a top star instead?

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Styles' rumored WrestleMania 35 opponent is non-other than 13-time World Champion Randy Orton, who much like Styles, was unable to come out victorious at TLC and will be in a need of a fresh feud. See where I'm going with this?

So instead of any further hesitation, WWE should already plant the seeds to a long-term feud between a pure babyface like AJ Styles and a sadistic heel like Randy Orton. However, if they're going to stretch it till 'Mania 35 then I'd suggest them to take things slow as of right now.

About the author

Soumik Datta is a professional wrestling journalist who has been following the business for more than a decade.

In 2017, Soumik joined the Sportskeeda Wrestling team and is best known for his work with the WWE team. He has previously contributed to the Sportskeeda AEW, MMA, and the football team where he specifically covered the Major League Soccer.

In 2024, Soumik crossed 50 million reads for Sportskeeda WWE. While working under Sportskeeda MMA, he interviewed prominent UFC fighters, including Justin Gaethje, Sean O'Malley, and Cory Sandhagen, among others. He is also being followed by John Cena on X (formerly Twitter).

Apart from his love for professional wrestling, Soumik also watches Football and has been a lifelong follower of Liverpool FC and Mohun Bagan. He has also been following the Indian Super League and remains the only content creator to have traveled across India to watch 7 ISL Matches in 7 Days, a video which currently sits at 26K views on his YouTube channel. His channel currently amasses over 120K views.

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Edited by Shiven Sachdeva