With the announcement of a Brand Split returning to WWE once again, there is a buzz around the wrestling world that’s not been seen in years. Fans are filled with hope and excitement of what possibilities this new development might bring. One of the more prominent hopes is that the company’s influx of new talents will be able to get more time on the new Smackdown brand. Another poignant question is who the brand’s world champion will be. Will the powers that be give the belt to one of their up and coming stars or will they go back to their old tricks? Here are 5 potential World Champions that cover both of those possibilities:
AJ Styles
Styles is most likely the strongest candidate for a new talent winning the big one. Following his feud with Chris Jericho, the phenomenal one was thrust into the main event picture the night after Wrestlemania by winning a number one contender fatal-four-way match. He would go on to have a pair of strong matches with champion Roman Reigns at Payback and Extreme Rules. Although he lost both, he definitely came across as a threat to the champ and absolutely looked like he belonged in that spot. Styles now has the credibility of a main eventer on the big stage and has the potential to put on great matches night after night. Why not give him a chance to carry the blue brand on his own?
John Cena
WWE may be more on board with pushing young, work-rate oriented workers than ever before. Yet, they are launching a new brand with Smackdown. It makes sense that they would want a big name to give the show a higher-profile, and there is no bigger name that John Cena. He has no doubt been this generation’s definitive star and making him the first stalwart of the new brand would no doubt elevate it’s importance. Furthermore, this decision would not be as dire as it appears at first glance. We are not talking about the John Cena of 2006 here. Cena made the United States Championship exciting again, putting on absolute barn-burners with some of the company’s most skilled competitors. That’s what he can bring to the new world belt, putting on great matches with young talent, before eventually dropping the belt to someone deserving, giving them the ultimate rub in the process.
Kevin Owens
Back on the young talent side of the spectrum. Is there anyone more deserving of a world title run than Owens? He has toiled in the indies for years to get to the spot he is in now in spite of not having “the look.” On top of that, he didn’t just get to the WWE, he has kicked the door down. Putting in amazing in-ring performances for a man his size and undoubtedly portraying the best heel in the company. Everything he does is with purpose and he pulls of the little things so well. There is no better man to portray a new era in WWE at the top than this man. Not an immobile, body builder with a great look, but a true wrestler’s wrestler. Putting him at the forefront of the new Smackdown would be a tremendous step in solidifying a new era in WWE.
Randy Orton
A very much “back to the well again” candidate, Orton has held this spot before. In 2011, he held the World Heavyweight Championship twice for a total of 110 days and was the face of Smackdown. But, the blue brand was very much the B-show back then and the hopes are that WWE does not treat it in same manner this time. But, it is very possible that he could get the title to give his return from injury some juice. He is still very solid in the ring, albeit not very spectacular, and even had a great feud with Christian in that 2011 time span. It may not be the flashiest of picks but, the son of Cowboy Bob Orton could reach Smackdown’s highest peak once again.
Bray Wyatt
Wyatt is the wild card of this list. He has really been booked horrifically since his feud with John Cena a couple of years ago. He was made to look like a joke at Wrestlemania 32 when the Rock and the aforementioned Cena easily dismantled him and his family. With this new brand, WWE has a chance for a new beginning with Wyatt. We have never seen him go after any title in his time with the company, that in itself could be a fresh direction for him. Imagine a storyline with Bray and his family taking Smackdown as their own personal playground, running roughshod over the rest of the roster. He is extremely talented on the mic, putting everything into his character and he is no slouch in the ring either. Smackdown could be the home for Bray Wyatt’s redemption.
Now there are a few honorable mentions, but there are several factors that kept them off of this list:
Seth Rollins- Will most likely stay on Raw to feud with Reigns.
Cesaro- Absolutely amazing talent, but WWE will never see him as a main-eventer.
Dean Ambrose- Does not really have the gimmick of a world champion, a gimmick change and it would be very possible.
Sami Zayn- Could very well win the big one down the line, but injuries have derailed his time on the main roster.
So, there you have it. It’s a very exciting time to be a wrestling fan, there is so much intrigue involving so many aspects of the brand split. That’s a good thing, it’s bringing a ton of interest to the product. Who will WWE place as the front man of the new brand? We’ll just have to wait till July 19th to find out.
