Why AJ Styles vs. Finn Balor was the WrestleMania match to make

As we sit on the doorstep of WrestleMania 33, there’s been something on my mind for a solid week, an idea that crept in my head when it comes to this card that just won’t die.

Why isn’t AJ Styles vs. Finn Balor on this show tonight?

You are probably saying, “You dolt. They are on two different brands, and Balor isn’t even officially back in storyline yet. Duh.” You also might be saying that Balor is hurt, but he did go back on the road about three weeks ago, so unless he’s not fully 100%, I’m still in the hunt.

Look, give me less than 200 hundred words to plot this out. I’ll even do it in easy-to-read bullets:

• When it was clear a few weeks ago that Styles didn’t have a clear opponent, you have him do a promo saying he wants a big-time challenge for WrestleMania and since no one on the SmackDown side deserves his spotlight, he’s delivering an open challenge to anyone on the Raw roster.
• Shane McMahon approves and calls out sister Stephanie to answer the challenge: a one-on-one Raw vs. SmackDown matchup for bragging rights. Steph sneers, but then-employed Mick Foley says he has an idea. Later, Steph says she will have Shane’s answer next week and invites he and Daniel Bryan to Raw to hear it.
• At the end of a Raw show, they do their promo in the ring. Steph accepts the challenge and Styles/Shane laugh at who possibly could be left to answer the bell. Foley does his thing and says, “Sometimes it pays to be out of sight and out of mind.” Balor’s music hits and the place goes nuts. Styles and Shane are aghast; they forgot about him. Balor stands in the middle of the ring staring down Styles and Shane on the outside.

From there, the rest is simple.

I think if you have an opportunity to put on a major athletic showcase between two of your best at your biggest show of the year, you do it. We obviously could see this match at some point in WWE, but when given the option of Shane vs. Styles or Balor vs. Styles, the choice is obvious.

I know people are loathe to fantasy booking, but this seems like a no-brainer. I get the argument for a Samoa Joe/Balor match given the Raw brand, but the Raw vs. SD angle seemed to fit. Balor wins, gets a nice momentum push for the second quarter of the year, and perhaps that then gives Styles’ heel character a reason to shift.

In any case, enjoy Shane vs. Styles, but it’s fun to think what could have been instead.