This week on SmackDown LIVE, AJ Styles was defeated by Daniel Bryan and is now the new WWE Champion, ending Styles’ 371-day reign.
Many took this as a total surprise and rightfully so.
According to the Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer, Daniel Bryan had been pushing to turn heel since returning to full main roster competition and was granted that opportunity on Tuesday afternoon.
The report claims that Vince McMahon decided the day of to turn Bryan, and giving him the title would be the best possible way to make the move. Apparently, Bryan and McMahon had been going back and forth, but McMahon finally felt comfortable making that move this week.
There is some speculation that the move was made do to the match between Ronda Rousey vs. Becky Lynch being cancelled.
The report also cites that Bryan will most likely be asked to work babyface this Sunday versus Brock Lesnar.
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