Why AJ Styles Must Be in WWE WrestleMania 34's Headline Match to Make Up For '17

Every WrestleMania needs a main event focus, and no wrestler deserves the main event spot at WrestleMania 34 more than AJ Styles. It may seem premature to already be talking about next year's 'Mania, but the current status of Styles only amplifies the need to plan ahead for one of the most important years of one of the top talents in WWE.

Since his debut at WWE Royal Rumble 2016, Styles has been the MVP of WWE, putting on top matches with much of the roster. Every single one of his matches with John Cena and Roman Reigns were match-of-the-year contenders, not to mention his battles with Dean Ambrose and Chris Jericho.

WrestleMania has always been the biggest show of the year, meant to highlight the best talent on the roster. However, this year, Styles will be wrestling in a match that can be considered, at best, the sixth-biggest match on the card, battling SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon.

This contest has only recently started to be built up with under three weeks left before 'Mania. Because of this, the match has come off as an attempt to throw Shane on the 'Mania card due to the success of his appearance last year. Nothing about this match's build aids Styles, who will be forced to carry a performer who has barely been a wrestler his whole career.

While Shane has had many memorable matches in his career including his battle with The Undertaker last year at WrestleMania, the 47-year-old McMahon has always been best known for his reckless style that does not lend itself well to growing older. Styles will have to take the direct lead in order to give Shane a match worthy of the Grandest Stage of Them All.

Sometimes this situation is unavoidable, and great talents have been thrown into worse situations at 'Mania before. However, it does bring to light a crucial issue relating to Styles. Even though Styles is wrestling at near-peak level, time could easily catch up to him soon, particularly with his athletic and high-risk style.

At 39 years old, Styles began wrestling just before Cena did, working all around the world for a decade-and-a-half before coming to WWE. Even though Styles has been lucky most of his career to avoid any major injury, his body will still wear down soon enough. Taking Styles for granted will only hurt WWE in the long run.

Therefore, WWE cannot afford to keep Styles in the background next year at WrestleMania. In fact, if Styles continues to excel as he has, he should absolutely headline WWE's Show of Shows, representing either brand in a world championship match.

Not only does Styles deserve that spotlight, he also would help guarantee that 'Mania had a headline match worthy of the show's history. Just as Shawn Michaels was always the man WWE turned to for a fantastic match, Styles could certainly take on the role of Mr. WrestleMania with ease.

In fact, this situation would be quite similar to HBK's run from WrestleMania 22 where he pulled a great match out of Vince McMahon in WrestleMania 23 where he fought Cena for the WWE Championship. This situation should only be more clearly solidified when Styles does bring out the best left in Shane and perhaps steals the show.

Credit: WWE.com

Who could Styles face at 'Mania? The potential rivals are numerous with Styles showing he can maximize the ability of all performers.

Given WWE's inclination toward relying on past stars, Brock Lesnar would be an easy choice as Styles would fly around the ring to sell Lesnar's destruction. Similarly, he could fight The Undertaker, a match many thought would happen at WrestleMania this year. Even a battle with Randy Orton could be headline-worthy given how many times Orton has headlined 'Mania.

If WWE trusts its younger talent, Styles could also face off against Seth Rollins or Bray Wyatt (assuming one had turned face by that time). If Reigns finally turned heel and Styles returned to a face role, the two already have proven chemistry, and this new dynamic would likely make for an easy sell for WWE.

Regardless of who Styles faces, he must headline WrestleMania next year. It may be the last chance to put one of the greatest performers in wrestling history in position to immortalize his WWE career. He deserves it for the work he has put in and for the match he is set to carry at this year's 'Mania.