AJ Styles Should Be the Wrestler to End Roman Reigns' WWE Universal Championship Reign

Roman Reigns has been WWE Universal Champion for over 1,000 days, and while it's possible that he will continue to be champion into 2025 with a reign of at least 1,585 days (Bruno Sammartino had the longest reign as WWE Champion in history at 2,803 days), this is the only WWE championship reign in the 21st century that has lasted this long. So it is likely that it will end sooner than later. And while Reigns has successfully defended the WWE Universal Championship at Premium Live Events against many top names, there is a top name that has not yet been a part of that title shot conversation and should be the one to end this historical championship tenure, and that person is AJ Styles.

Not only is AJ Styles one of the most popular and talented wrestlers in the world, but he has proven himself over and over again by dominating in major companies internationally. Styles is a two-time former WWE Champion, a two-time former Impact World Champion, a two-time former IWGP Heavyweight Champion, and a former RevPro Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion.

Whether AJ Styles is a face or a heel, whether he is in the title scene or using his wrestling skills and performing ability to make other stars, Styles has maintained his popularity ever since he began wrestling for WWE in 2016 and would be the perfect talent to go against Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship at a Premium Live Event. They faced each other at a WWE Saturday Night's Main Event show in September 2022 at Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, Canada, and the match was well received by the fans in attendance. Surely a WWE Universal Championship match between the two would appeal to a Premium Live Event audience as well and generate a lot of excitement, making it a great way to crown a new Champion.

We have seen AJ Styles interact with members of Roman Reigns' Bloodline faction many times this month, which culminated in him being attacked by Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa and taken to the hospital. Upon Styles' return, he will likely be looking for revenge, which could lead to him facing Reigns in a big match. A credible challenger, Styles would be taken seriously by fans as being the one who could possibly become the next WWE Universal Champion. His victory would be a fresh start for WWE, and it would give fans something new to cheer about. Also, in Styles' runs as WWE Champion, he was a solid draw- there is no doubt that he would also draw good crowds as WWE Universal Champion.



Of course, there is the question of whether AJ Styles wants another run as a main event champion. It may mean more days on the road, more appearances, and ultimately, more time away from his family. So perhaps Styles is satisfied with the championship success that he has already had. But if Styles does want to once again become, "The Face That Runs the Place" and, "The Champ That Runs the Camp", now would be the perfect time to lead to that.

And as for the fans who want to see Cody Rhodes finish his story or LA Knight create a new story of his own, keep in mind that those two stories can be told with AJ Styles. AJ Styles vs. Cody Rhodes is a match that we have never seen before- although we have seen AJ Styles vs. Dusty Rhodes in Impact Wrestling, and that match could be alluded to in a buildup to AJ Styles vs. Cody Rhodes.



And when LA Knight was in NXT and made a return in 2022 after being taken out of action by Grayson Waller, AJ Styles introduced Knight as being one of his friends; but other the two of them being involved in a, "Triple Threat" match with Austin Theory at a WWE Live event earlier this year, Styles and Knight haven't crossed paths since. A match for the WWE Universal Championship would be an opportunity for it to happen again.



Whether it's for a long-term reign or to elevate someone, the case remains that AJ Styles being the wrestler to end Roman Reigns WWE Universal Championship reign would be a Phenomenal choice.