WrestleMania 35: Predicting the match card

4) AJ Styles v/s Shawn Michaels

The Heart Break Kid v/s The Phenomenal One

Shawn Michaels is a WWE legend known to all the wrestling fans. The ‘Heart Break Kid’ has delivered many memorable matches in his illustrious career and his skills and ability to sell a match cannot be compared to any other superstar. His excellent showings at The Grandest Stage of Them All earned him the title of Mr. WrestleMania.

After being forced to retire post his loss in a Streak v/s Career match against The Undertaker in 2010, Michaels came out of retirement 8 years later to fight Undertaker and Kane alongside Triple H at the Crown Jewel PPV in November 2018.

AJ Styles on the other hand, has had a short, yet a ‘Phenomenal’ (pun not intended) career in WWE to say in the least. The Phenomenal One debuted at the Royal Rumble in 2016 and has face off against the greatest superstars of the company in Roman Reigns, John Cena, Chris Jericho, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.

The face of SmackDown Live is already a 2-time United States Champion and a 2-time WWE Champion. His latest reign with the WWE title was 371 days long, a feat which has been achieved by only a handful of superstars in the company.

Although Michaels has hinted that his return at the Crown Jewel PPV was a one-off thing, this may just be a false announcement to surprise the fans when HBK returns at the Royal Rumble. A classic showdown between him and Styles is enough to make the fans go crazy.

This match might have been the WWE Championship match for the Royal Rumble 2017 PPV

Styles himself posted the above picture prior to the 2017 edition of the Royal Rumble, proving that the officials of WWE were highly invested in the rivalry. AJ Styles has already shown how amazing a heel he can be and turning him on Michaels would be the perfect way to garner heat for Styles and kick the feud off. Even if Styles remains a face this encounter has enough of star power so as to write itself until Mania.

Coming to the match, it is going to be nothing less than a classic. Michaels proved that he hasn’t lost a step in the ring when he carried the main event of Crown Jewel himself post HHH’s injury. His ability of selling moves hasn’t changed a bit and he is as athletic as he has ever been.

The Phenomenal One too is an exceptional performer who is safe to work with. His match against Shane McMahon at WrestleMania 33 was enough to prove everyone that he can produce a decent match with any wrestler. Winning the match against Michaels will surely establish Styles as the face of the company.

Styles can then move onto RAW to fill in the void created on the red brand following Roman Reigns’ departure. This is the only match which can best the Michaels’ retirement match.

Winner: AJ Styles