Pros and Cons of AJ Styles as WWE World Heavyweight Champion

AJ Styles will have another shot at WWE immortality when he faces off against Roman Reigns at Extreme Rules on May 22. The Phenomenal One is just a three-count away from winning the industry's biggest championship, and many fans likely cannot wait to see him walk out of Extreme Rules as the new champion.

But will it happen? If it does, will it be the right move?

Styles' fans want this moment. AJ has more than paid his dues over the past 18 years, and he's done it all to get where he is now. WWE is the place where he belongs, as this is a true reward for the time he's put in. He has earned his spotlight, and he has earned the main event spot he now has.

Fans who felt he would never get to WWE are likely having a great time watching it all unfold.

But he's facing the man WWE wants in the top spot, and to beat him will not be easy. Reigns has been built stronger than any Superstar in recent memory, and all of that effort has not been made to let him drop the title so soon.

AJ is the first real contender since Reigns beat Triple H at WrestleMania 32. Would WWE make a title change this soon?

However, there's no denying that AJ is more than capable of carrying the gold. If WWE does indeed give him the nod, he will prove his worth as champion. But a potential Styles victory has both good and bad points, and fans will continually debate those points leading up to Extreme Rules.

The Pros

Styles is not a WWE-produced Superstar. He was not rolled off the company's assembly line in NXT, and he wasn't built from the ground on the main roster. AJ is not the flavor of the month, and his qualifications are not being called into question.

This is AJ Styles. Why not give him the belt?

AJ is something different; he's something new. Fans have not had to endure one main event program after another as he was shoved down their throats every week on TV.

The Phenomenal One is not a hard sell in any way, and every time he steps through the ropes, he proves he belongs in a top spot.

AJ is not Roman Reigns, and that is a big deal.

But this is more about the New Era of WWE and what AJ can bring to the table. The best thing about the company's new direction is that it's unpredictable. There has been no real indication of where all of this is going, and that's a good thing.

Is the New Era indeed leading WWE forward? What types of matches will be held as the newer talents are elevated on the main roster? What NXT stars will be called up next?

The excitement surrounding today's WWE is being met with the stark reality of Roman as the champion. He does not seem to fit the new vibe that's happening, but AJ does. Styles would be reigning over a roster full of fresh faces who were either inspired by him or have worked with him in big matches around the world.

He would epitomize what hard work can accomplish and be the perfect ambassador for the modern generation of stars. He is unique, he is skilled and, most importantly, he is different from any titleholder WWE has spotlighted in a long time.

That spotlight would shine brighter than ever thanks to the possible world title matchups.

The WWE World Heavyweight Championship is the top belt, and it should be the most important part of the program. It deserves quality matches, and WWE wants to feature quality matches to increase the title's value.

AJ Styles defending against Seth Rollins would fit that description.

Styles as champion opens the door for talented workers to step up and provide five-star matches. Dean Ambrose, Cesaro, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens and Dolph Ziggler are just five names who could give AJ a great match on any night of the week.

Then there's the talent in NXT who will eventually be called up to the main roster.

Styles vs. Samoa Joe is a classic rivalry, but it's not yet happened in WWE. Austin Aries, Finn Balor and Shinsuke Nakamura will all come in eventually, and they could arrive separately for special events. If AJ Styles was the man wearing the gold, it would make for a much more entertaining match in every instance.

The Cons

Giving AJ the belt right now would be setting him up to fail.

The fact is it's just too soon for him. The buildup for Roman took over a year, and though AJ is already established, he's not yet fully established in WWE. There are moments when it seems the crowd is undecided on him.

AJ does and says all the right things, but he has not yet won everyone over. He's not hated, but he's not fully over yet, either.

Putting the belt on him now would give him added pressure that he doesn't need.

The last thing WWE likely wants is for fans to turn on AJ and blame him for overexposure. The championship would not help his cause.

While AJ would be able to give a great showing in matches against some of the company's most exciting talents, what happens when the super heavyweights come calling? What happens when Brock Lesnar comes back and decides he wants to be the world champion again?

What are the chances Styles would escape with the championship? More importantly, would fans even believe he could?

Roman may not be the technician that Styles is, but he has the size and power to give Brock, Big Show, Kane and even Braun Strowman all they can handle. No one wants to see AJ get squashed, and he deserves much better than that.

The most important topic here is what's best for business.

It's more than just a tagline for The Authority. It's a question that must be asked with every big decision WWE makes as a company. Tearing down Roman Reigns just as he finally got over the hump, only to build a guy who may or may not gain ratings as champion, is a big deal.

The company has invested in Roman, and he is a lifer. Can the same be said of AJ? Is he at the last stop in his career or is there more to come after WWE?

Vince McMahon's company is Roman's home, and that appears to be the way it will stay.

Roman's career began in WWE. Fans watched him come in with The Shield and witnessed his rise afterward. For better or worse, Roman has been built as a WWE mainstay, and he's in this for the long haul.

Then there's John Cena.

Cena will be back, and at some point, he will be WWE world heavyweight champion again. It's just a matter of time. Would fans rather see him beat Roman, who would likely get it back at some point? Or would fans rather see AJ drop it to Cena and then perhaps not win it again?

Cena is the top star in WWE, and that is not changing any time soon.

AJ is in a great spot right now, and he deserves to be there. But when it comes to wearing the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, maybe he's better off as a contender—at least for now.

Tom Clark can regularly be found on Bleacher Report. His podcast, Tom Clark's Main Event, is available on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Android, Windows Phone and online here.