World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) champion A.J. Styles is starting 2018 with the World Championship still strapped around his waist. Styles successfully defended his World Heavyweight belt in a Triple Threat match against John Cena and Jinder Mahal at WWE's last live event for 2017 that took place in Tampa, Florida on Saturday.
Prior to the event, the WWE shared a clip via Instagram where Styles talked about his last title defense in 2017 against Cena and Mahal in a Triple Threat match.
While the company has recently been known to book title changes in live events such as when Styles defeated Kevin Owens for the United States title back in July, it was widely speculated that Styles was unlikely to lose his World Heavyweight title at the Tampa event.
Styles has been known for his feud with Cena and Mahal, although his rivalry with Cena was more significant because it was considered a passing of the torch, and the rift served as the perfect transition. Cena was bound to step away from the company for a bit due to other obligations and Styles was the heavy favorite to step in his place due to his immense popularity.
Mahal is Styles' most recent rival, with their feud culminating in "Clash of Champions" early this month where Styles pinned "The Modern Day Maharaja" to retain the championship.
It would have been pointless to give the title to either challenger due to Cena's limited schedule with the company and Mahal's recent inclusion in "Smackdown Live's" United States Championship tournament. Also, Style's upcoming feud with Kevin Owens would have been lacking substance if Styles were not the champion during that time.
In the video, he even questioned Cena's ability to be a full-time fighting champion, saying that Cena was just a free agent and that the World Heavyweight title was not going anywhere.
As expected by many wrestling fans and enthusiasts, Styles will be closing out the year in a fashion that suits his nickname: Phenomenal.
