AJ Styles Is on Borrowed Time in WWE

Here's something that hasn't been said much since AJ Styles made his WWE debut: The man is 38 years old. Think about that for a second.

As much as wrestling fans were in hog heaven during a dream match against Chris Jericho on Raw, their combined age is 83. That's older than Bernie Sanders. Nothing is older than Bernie Sanders.

Styles will turn 39 this year. That means he'll be 40 seven years before WrestleMania 40.

Much was made on commentary, namely by JBL, about Styles' bright future in WWE now that he's arrived in the "big time." But realistically, AJ Styles is the future of WWE like Peyton Manning is the future of the Denver Broncos.

Styles is not a long-term option. Not even close. In fact, with so many WWE Superstars in their late 30s now dealing with serious injuries, WWE's so-called injury bug isn't a bug; it's an indictment.

Fans exploded in cheers when the McMahons mentioned Styles by name Monday on Raw. And why not? He earned those cheers after almost two decades of hard work, paid dues and elite wresting. Unfortunately, the main event in 2016 is no place for a near-20-year veteran not named Triple H.

There are currently 54 members of WWE's full-time roster. Styles is older than 44 of them. While WWE did its damnedest to portray Styles vs. Jericho as student vs. teacher, respectively, Styles has more in common with Jericho than anyone.

In fact, it's almost poetic that his first match was against Y2J. Styles can, and should, be the next Chris Jericho. And by that, I don't mean a charismatic young star from a rival promotion who becomes a legend in WWE. I mean he could be Jericho in the present day—a respected legend on his way out whose main objective is to lose to promising, young wrestlers on their way up.

WWE Superstar	Age	Notes
Kane	48 years, 9 months, 3 days
Goldust	46 years, 9 months, 3 days
Bubba Ray Dudley	44 years, 7 months, 3 days
R-Truth	44 years, 10 days
Big Show	43 years, 11 months, 21 days
D-Von Dudley	43 years, 5 months, 28 days
John Cena	38 years, 9 months, 6 days	Out, shoulder injury
Titus O'Neil	38 years, 9 months, 0 days
Alberto Del Rio	38 years, 8 months, 4 days	Out, lower-back injury
AJ Styles	38 years, 7 months, 27 days
Sheamus	38 years, 1 day	Arm Injury

Tyler Breeze, Kalisto and Dean Ambrose are just a few names who come to mind as it pertains to potential feuds for Styles. Styles vs. Kevin Owens could be a fun program, as was teased during the Royal Rumble.

To see Styles compete for and win the WWE United States and Intercontinental Championships will elevate these titles, similar to what fellow 38-year-old John Cena was able to do. Cena doesn't need to be in the main event to matter. If Styles is worth his salt as a mainstream wrestler, neither will he.

WWE is the ultimate form of capitalism. There's only so much room at the top of the card. Many wrestlers have carved out a strong legacy in the midcard. And with Styles' first year in the WWE occurring at age 38, that will most likely be his ceiling.

Alfred Konuwa is a Featured Columnist and an on-air host for Bleacher Report. Like him on Facebook and listen to his pro wrestling podcast, PodNasty.