In a surprising move, AJ Styles has been chosen as the challenger for Cody Rhodes' newly won Undisputed WWE Championship at the WWE Backlash France premium live event tonight. This decision has sparked speculation among fans as to why Styles, who has not been in a singles world title match since 2019, was selected over other high-profile stars.

According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the decision to go with Styles was driven by the desire to deliver the best possible match for the championship, rather than focusing solely on star power. Triple H, who had the final say, opted to prioritize a high-quality matchup on paper, which paved the way for the historic clash between Rhodes and Styles.

One possible rationale behind this decision could be the lack of depth among heel wrestlers on the SmackDown roster, especially following the 2024 WWE Draft. With the limited options available, apart from The Bloodline and Styles, it becomes apparent that there is a shortage of noteworthy heels to choose from. Perhaps, unless WWE decides to turn the likes of Randy Orton, Kevin Owens, or LA Knight, Styles emerged as the best choice for the challenging role.

Styles' absence from the main event scene in recent years contributes to the intrigue surrounding his selection. However, it seems clear that WWE's focus was on presenting an exceptional championship match rather than relying solely on the popularity or star power of the contender.

As the WWE Backlash France event unfolds tonight, fans eagerly await the showdown between Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles for the Undisputed WWE Championship. This clash promises to showcase the talents of both wrestlers and determine who will emerge victorious as the reigning champion.

Whether AJ Styles will reignite his singles world title run after a long hiatus or if Cody Rhodes will successfully defend his newly won championship remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the decision to choose Styles as the challenger has certainly added an element of unpredictability and excitement to the anticipated encounter at Backlash.