Ranking every WWE Champion in the SmackDown Live era from worst to best

#2 AJ Styles

The only 2-time champ in SmackDown Live history

AJ Styles is the only man to hold the WWE Championship more than once during the SmackDown Live era, winning it once as a heel and once as a babyface. The Phenomenal One defeated Dean Ambrose to win the title, just over half a year after he made his WWE debut.

He had one hell of a run with the belt, consistently being one of the highlights of a thoroughly fun show. Styles fended off Ambrose, as well as Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin and even James Ellsworth, before losing to John Cena in a thriller at the Royal Rumble.

Styles' second WWE Championship victory brought joy to the WWE Universe, as he ended the mediocre reign of Jinder Mahal on an episode of SmackDown in Manchester. The ensuing reign saw the current OC leader face loads of talents over the span of 371 days, with some of his feuds delivering and some of them disappointing.

AJ Styles had lengthy programs with the likes of Shinsuke Nakamura and Samoa Joe, ultimately coming out on top at the end of both of them.

It may have gone slightly boring, but the year-long title reign helped to bring prestige back to the WWE Championship after the title changed hands one too many times, following the end of The Phenomenal One's first championship reign.

On the SmackDown before Survivor Series 2018, Styles lost his belt in shocking fashion. The man who took it off him would make the WWE Championship even more prestigious.