Dean Ambrose vs AJ Styles

I'm seeing a lot of excited chatter about Dean Ambrose vs AJ Styles for Smack Down's first PPV Backlash and the excitement is entirely focused on Styles beating Ambrose to be the new World Champion. Coming off a major win over John Cena from Summerslam, people are now clamoring for Styles to take the belt off of Ambrose, who conversely had one of the most underwhelming matches at Summerslam. Ambrose has been labeled as boring or lazy shortly after being called out by Stone Cold Steve Austin for resting on his laurels and that he needed to step up and show some passion. It's actually gotten bad over on Wreddit where people are wondering why Ambrose is the current champ and why does he deserve the title. They're forgetting why he got the championship in the first place.

Dean Ambrose has been working hard, nearly nonstop, since last year. When Seth Rollins was injured, he was pulled from the B-Show tour to headline the A-Show tour. When Roman Reigns needed time off for surgery, he stepped in to feud with HHH. He had a brutal but forgettable loss against Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 32 and had silly but victorious wins over Jericho. When it came down to decide who to give the championship to amidst Reigns' suspension at Money In The Bank, they gave it to Ambrose over Rollins. He defended the title in a triple threat at Battleground and successfully defended it against Ziggler at Summerslam. Ambrose got the title because he deserved it for all the hard work he put in, for miraculously staying injury-free, and it was also a reward for the fans for sticking by him and never turning on him like they did with Reigns. WWE needed a genuine top babyface to be their next champion. And that trust carried over when he was separated from Rollins and Reigns at the draft and when he brought the title home to Smack Down.

Styles, just 7 months after debuting at the Royal Rumble, is now in the position where he's deservedly earned the title shot. There's no mistake that WWE wants to capitalize on Styles' momentum and make him the new face and champion of Smack Down. As for Ambrose, the reason he hasn't stepped up is because he has gotten comfortable and confident as champion. He didn't take Ziggler seriously and dominated him. There's a slow build they've been doing for both men that most people are overlooking. Ambrose overcame Rollins and Reigns to get to his spot. Styles overcame Cena to get there too.

I do see WWE pulling the trigger and having Styles win at Backlash. He's another guy that deserves it. To date, Ambrose has held the World Championship title a little longer than when he had the IC title (64 days). And he's currently on track to be the longest reigning champ this year (it'll be 83 days at Backlash). I'm happy with whoever wins honestly. Just a little saddened to see how Ambrose's first title reign is not well received 2 months later. Not that I'm going to let Wreddit change my opinion but damn man. Wrestling fans are never happy.