Why AJ Styles' Next Feud Following WWE TLC 2016 Must Be Against Undertaker

He may not have appeared at WWE Survivor Series last weekend, but following his appearance on SmackDown earlier this month, it seems like The Undertaker is gearing up for an extended run on television—and there's one man in particular who should emerge as his next opponent.

Since the brand split, WWE world champion AJ Styles has been lodged in a rivalry with Dean Ambrose, with the latest chapter seeing them clash at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs next month. However, that should be the final stand for those two—with Styles in desperate need of a fresh foe as 2017 approaches.

And who better than The Undertaker? It ticks so many boxes on so many levels—here are just a few reasons why.

It Would Fit with WWE's Expected Storylines

Plans are starting to come together for WrestleMania 33 next year. With Goldberg entering the Royal Rumble and announcing it eight weeks in advance, WWE has plans in place for the biggest show of the year.

And although he's off WWE television at the moment, John Cena will be a big part of that. His mission before taking some time off was based around going for world title No. 16, and Styles vs. Taker would be the ideal precursor to that quest picking up once again.

Whether it is Styles or Taker who emerges triumphant around the time of the Royal Rumble, the winner has a direct storyline to take up with Cena.

For Styles, there's the fact that he's beaten Cena clean on several occasions already, and a revival of that feud would be intriguing to see at WrestleMania with the company's biggest prize on the line.

But Taker winning and claiming the WWE World Championship would set up a captivating feud with Cena at WrestleMania, giving The Deadman a new opponent in the process.

No matter who wins, Taker-Styles for the world title makes a whole heap of sense.

It's a Dream Match Many Thought They'd Never See

Away from the logistics of who will win the WWE World Championship at WrestleMania, AJ Styles vs. The Undertaker gives fans the opportunity to see a real-life fantasy match in the flesh.

With Taker's reduced schedule and the brand split, it made it increasingly unlikely the two men would ever meet in a WWE ring.

But now that Taker is back on the scene, WWE cannot pass up on the opportunity to give fans a huge marquee bout at a key time of the year.

Would it be a difficult move putting such an incredible worker like Styles with a guy who is 51 years old? Perhaps, but it's too good to resist.

Having Taker force through one more run at the world title is an intriguing prospect, particularly if he's in good enough shape.

It should be one of the key reasons why Styles vs. Taker has to happen. 

Styles Would Become WWE's Top Heel 

There's been plenty of confusion in the past as to whether Undertaker has been working as a babyface or heel during his recent runs with the company.

Shane McMahon was so over earlier this year that Undertaker was effectively a monster heel, not to mention that he was working under the orders of Vince McMahon.

But with Styles already one of the best heels on the entire roster, it means Taker can come back and work the way he should be at this time of his career—as a babyface.

A guy with the pulling power of Taker would also intensify Styles' profile as one of the biggest heels in WWE. In fact, it would arguably make him the top heel in the entire company.

After a disappointing first few months in WWE, Styles has quickly ascended to the top of the pyramid and looks every bit like a world champion.

Feuding with someone like Taker would be the icing on top of the cake following a spectacular first year with the company.