The WWE Universe was close to witnessing another installment of AJ Styles vs Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series 2018. However, a last minute shocker changed it all. Just like last year when Jinder Mahal was almost slated to be the one facing Brock Lesnar (and we're thankful that he didn't) and WWE gave us a last minute shocker, this year was similar.
Not only did Daniel Bryan replace Styles to face The Beast Incarnate at Survivor Series, he also turned heel. While Daniel Bryan has been a heel in the past, his character was nowhere close to the vicious Daniel Bryan we saw on the last episode of SmackDown Live.
The backstory
AJ Styles was slated to face Brock Lesnar for the second year running, and he fit the role perfectly.
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Styles actually looked like someone who had the credibility to bring down The Beast. However, that was not to happen.
Although Daniel Bryan had been the co-captain of team SmackDown at Survivor Series, he was booked to face AJ Styles for the WWE Championship, and he won by delivering a low blow to AJ Styles while the referee was out.
Daniel Bryan attacked Styles viciously, turning heel in the process, replacing Styles as the one slated to face Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series.
The possibilities
While AJ Styles was the fan favourite going into the match, Brock Lesnar had been portrayed as the most dominant champion in WWE. Although Bryan replacing him is not a bad idea, turning him heel in the process just opens up new possibilities about what might happen in the match.
While Styles is one of those performers who would fight fairly and take The Beast to the limit, the new Daniel Bryan is an opportunist who would stop at nothing to win. Also, Daniel Bryan had been displaying a lot of aggression lately.
Daniel Bryan is one of the smallest superstars on the roster, but he is capable of displaying a vicious character (not to forget the way his temper has always been a focus of his character).
Also, Daniel Bryan is one of the only superstars to have taken on the wrestlers with the strongest builds in the company successfully (remember how he single-handedly took out the entire Shield). This just goes to show how strongly he has been built by the company over the years. Daniel Bryan could thus pose a serious threat to The Beast Incarnate.
Considering yet another possibility, AJ Styles mentioned how Brock Lesnar is vulnerable and he could tap out, and we all know Daniel Bryan is a submission expert, and we should not forget that his Yes Lock is similar to Chris Benoit's Crippler Crossface, a move that once made Brock Lesnar tap out.