Dean Ambrose vs. AJ Styles: What's Next for Each Star After WWE Backlash 2016?

We have a new WWE world champion on SmackDown.

AJ Styles, who debuted in WWE only seven-and-a-half months ago, now holds the top prize in WWE, the WWE World Championship, after defeating Dean Ambrose in a physically intense, 25-minute clash.

While the win wasn't completely surprising, given that Styles had beaten John Cena clean less than one month prior, it was still a huge statement to crown Styles the new top man on SmackDown this quickly. Meanwhile, the former face of SmackDown, Ambrose, carried the title for a mere 84 days.

Where do the two top stars of SmackDown go from here?

Since Ambrose is entitled to a rematch and Styles needed to hit a low blow behind the referee's back in order to capture the victory, they will both be in each other's immediate future on SmackDown.

However, there is an added wrinkle to this feud that will be reintroduced this week. According to Wrestling Inc, Cena, who has not appeared in WWE since he lost to Styles at SummerSlam, will make his return to SmackDown this Tuesday, and there is no way Styles will not use every opportunity to show off his new WWE Championship to the man he defeated.

In order to keep Ambrose in the picture and finish the angle between Styles and Cena, we are most likely headed for a Triple Threat at the next SmackDown pay-per-view, No Mercy, between the top three draft picks of SmackDown Live. After that, Cena is headed for a long hiatus to film the Fox series American Grit.

This will leave room for one final, decisive singles match between Styles and Ambrose at the Big Four PPV Survivor Series, where Styles can prove he is the better man without resorting to dirty tactics and both men can move on to different feuds on the SmackDown brand heading toward WrestleMania season.

It seems safe to assume that both Styles and Ambrose will remain top stars on SmackDown long after their feud ends, though the road past their feud is certainly unclear. SmackDown Live has been a great product from week to week, but the roster still lacks depth. Both Ambrose and Styles were already new additions to the main event scene these last few months.

Hopefully, by the time this new feud reaches its climax, new wrestlers will have stepped up to help develop the roster. There is no short supply of potential rivals for both stars moving forward on this roster, including any potential NXT call-ups who will arrive near the end of the year.

Prospective feuds for both men we could see going into WrestleMania season, based purely on the rosters as they currently stand, include Styles vs. Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt or Dolph Ziggler and Ambrose vs. John Cena, Randy Orton or The Miz.

It's hard to say right now what direction WWE will take, but there are many exciting possibilities. As good as Styles has been this year in WWE, he should continue to make anything he touches golden and should have a lengthy title reign with the blue brand's championship.