I don't have the match result, but WWE has posted a video on its Instagram page from Florence, Italy which shows both Styles and Nakamura in the ring following what I surmise is the main event.
In the clip, Styles is on the microphone as the audience is chanting 'WrestleMania!' at the two wrestlers. It's somewhat difficult to hear exactly what Styles says, but to my ears it sounds like 'If you want me at WrestleMania, Shinsuke Nakamura, I'll tell you this - Too Sweet.'
This has now got me seriously considering the chance of Nakamura winning the 2018 Royal Rumble.
If the plan is for the Styles and Nakamura to meet at WrestleMania - and it's a title match - then Nakamura winning the Rumble might be one way of getting there.
Regular visitors will know Nakamura is my third pick to win the battle royal. However, I've pointed out that there was a divide between he and the top two on my rankings - John Cena and Roman Reigns.
AJ Styles defeated Jinder Mahal and Shinsuke Nakamura in a Triple Threat match to retain his WWE World Title.
ReplyDeleteSeems like they are teasing a 1v1 for sure somewhere down the road.
I think Nakamura should probably be the odds on favorite to win the Rumble at this point. Now that Mahal is facing Triple H, I have faith that Styles will enter Mania as the champion. It makes more sense for Reigns to win the Chamber match to earn the right to face Lesnar.
ReplyDeleteI felt this coming on Tuesday night, and the Triple H announcement only furthered my confidence. I don't see Mahal getting the belt back. Still far from certain that he won't, we'll know more after the 12/17 Clash of Champions PPV, but Nakamura (despite his weirdly and relatively clean losses to Mahal over the last few months) does seem positioned well to win the Royal Rumble, especially if Elimination Chamber is a Raw PPV as has been heavily rumored.
ReplyDeleteWith no Raw PPV in December, I'm starting to wonder whether all PPVs will revert back to being multi-brand shows from next year.
DeleteIf I'm incorrect, it'll likely be Raw anyway.
I wonder who would AJ face at Rumble. I think Mahal feud will be over at clash of champions if AJ retains
ReplyDeleteSmackdown heel side is weak as hell
Turn Bobby Roode.
DeleteI meant 'turn Bobby Roode to strengthen the heel side not wrestle at Rumble.
DeleteI'd like to see Styles face Zayn at the Rumble. It'd obviously be a great match, and it'd be the perfect way to establish Zayn as a top tier talent on SmackDown.
DeleteI would like this.
DeleteYeah, Roode is perfect option here. He always works well as a heel
ReplyDeleteI also think AJ will go to Raw next year since he is pretty much done with everyone on Smackdown.