Last week, we were shocked to see the WWE championship match for the last week of Smackdown being announced as a Triple Threat. The No. 1 contender’s match between Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler was declared as a no contest. Smackdown GM Daniel Bryan showed up to convert the championship match between Ziggler and Styles into a Triple Threat including Corbin.
Many were shocked with the announcement but the creative has some reasons behind it. For months now, Corbin was complaining to Bryan for not getting his rightful main event spotlight. So, he finally got it since they believe he is a championship material.
Furthermore as reported by cagesideseats.com, he will be given the duty of protecting AJ Styles from Ziggler in the championship match. We know that the champ hurt his ankle during his TLC match against Dean Ambrose. He is dealing with minor concussions and so might not be involved in full physical capacity.
Also, this would allow the WWE to see Corbin’s potential as the main event player. This will be his very first championship match main event since his call up at the main roster. If he gets a good reaction from the crowd then he might continue to stay here. In fact, Dean Ambrose will be replaced by the Lone Wolf in the title scenario from now onwards.
However, Styles is expected to be the champion heading into 2017 after that Triple Threat turmoil on Smackdown. The same source also suggests Cena will go straight into the title picture upon his return. A similar option was nurtured by Wrestling Observer Newsletter as well which means Styles vs. Cena No. 3 is stored for the Royal Rumble PPV to wrap up one of the biggest rivalries of 2016.
Corbin’s inclusion in the main event will give the WWE creative more ideas to come up with. He is also rumored to have a feud with John Cena next year to cement himself as a top heel on Smackdown. As of now, we’ll have to wait how Tuesday (December 27) night’s main event and Cena’s return goes.