AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura had a dream match at MITB PPV. It was their best match to date in the rivalry that started back in Wrestlemania season.
The two ripped each other apart in a Last Man Standing match. It was a gruelling contest, nonetheless.
The reigning champion was able to retain the title in the end. Most of the predictions hinted it would be Nakamura who should win the title. He has been quite a strong heel in the last few months and earned the right to capture the title. However, the outcome was much different at MITB.
The Phenomenal One was able to put Nakamura down for the referee’s ten counts. A forearm through the table got the job done. So the championship reign is continuing that started back in November 2017. Now there’s a valid reason why AJ Styles was able to defeat his nemesis for the fourth consecutive title match.
Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer Newsletter suggested WWE 2K19 is the sole reason behind this. The latest version of the WWE video game in association with 2K is coming up in the fall of this year. Recently, WWE revealed AJ Styles would be the cover of this annual tradition of the company.
So this fitted the biggest pro-wrestling promotion in the world to keep the title where it belongs. AJ Styles is one of the topmost names in the WWE today. It makes much sense he holds on one of the two prime championships that the company have. Here’s the update from the source,
“You already turned him heel; he’s awesome as a heel [Nakamura]. Like do it [put the title on him], but they didn’t do it. It turns out that AJ Styles has been confirmed for the cover of WWE 2K19. That explains why he’s the champion. I was told last night.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cIkhVFksA0
Another reason for keeping the championship with AJ Styles is creating a fresh rivalry on Smackdown Live. If Nakamura would have won, then Styles would surely demand his contractual rematch.
It could stretch the feud which had already become much-extended. Rusev will be the new challenger for the title after becoming the new number-one contender.
