2025 has already been a year of huge surprises in John Cena's shocking heel turn. Likewise, we saw Jey Uso stun the pro wrestling world by winning the Royal Rumble and advancing to a World title shot against Gunther at WrestleMania 41.

There was a groundswell of behind Jey, who's been the underdog in his struggle to win another singles title in World Wrestling Entertainment. He has run into the brick wall known as Gunther in the past, and he has never been able to slay the beast. In the meantime, the Ring General has looked dominant throughout the heavyweight division - this after he set the record for the longest Intercontinental Championship reign in history.

So, the story is set in this David vs. Goliath match-up. Or is it? While live crowds always react positively to Uso and all of his YEETing, there have been some online grumblings that he's not the man for this hallowed spot at 'Mania. Some have even speculated that it's merely a formality that Gunther will vanquish his pesky challenger, and some in WWE management have taken notice of the reaction.

Could AJ Styles Be the Third Man in This Match?

Former Champ Could Be Injected Into World Title Showdown At WrestleMania

Due to some of the , there's some speculation that a third performer may be added to this contest, making it a three-way dance for the WWE World Title. While nothing has been confirmed, at least one superstar could have gotten a 'test run' as far as potentially being included.

AJ Styles - who has been rumored for a possible 'Mania match against LA Knight or Karrion Kross - wrestled Gunther in a steel cage in Dortmund, , over the weekend, for the World Heavyweight Championship. Gunther won the dark match to retain the championship. While this battle wasn't mentioned or shown on television, clips have been released on YouTube.

This bout may have just been a special attraction for the international audience, but it also could have been a test balloon for Styles vs. Gunther vs. Uso in Sin City. And if so, that says a lot more about Jey Uso than it does about AJ Styles. While the perfect storybook ending should be Jey Uso going over Gunther clean at WrestleMania, it's not clear if Triple H and the rest of the creative department see that as the best option.

Did WWE Pick the Wrong Winner at the Royal Rumble?

Have They Lost Faith in Jey Uso as a Challenger?

When Jey Uso won the Royal Rumble, it was applauded by a segment of the fan base as being innovative and using out-of-the-box thinking. After all, Uso is known mostly for being a part of a legendary tag team with his brother, despite being a former Intercontinental champion. So, many viewed this as a way for the company to promote him to the top of the card.

However, at the same time, there were just as many in the wrestling audience who felt that it wasn't a smart move and that Jey didn't fit the mold that WWE was trying to squeeze him into. In other words, they think the guy who is nicknamed 'Main Event' isn't good enough for the main event. More than that, however, is that Gunther has a lot of from "purist" fans who appreciate the type of competitiveness he brings to the ring, and have come to see Jey as an entertainer more than anything else. An old conflict in WWE's pro wrestling brand, but one that is apparently still alive.

Until the final card is set, this is all just internet speculation. But it wouldn't be surprising to see Styles there, likely to take the pin for whoever ultimately wins. The Phenomenal One may be part of this contest merely so that neither of the other two competitors has to suffer a direct loss, and to please the crowd with his impeccable in-ring skills.

Unfortunately for Uso, if that's the case, it will place a heavy stigma on him. If he loses this match or Styles is pinned, Gunther will no doubt move on to the next opponent. That leaves Jey back in mid-card purgatory. But if he wins the belt and walks out with the title, he will still have the reputation as the guy who couldn't 'sell' the match on his own.

In many ways, WWE may have realized they booked themselves into a corner with this scenario, and they're just looking for the easiest option around it. For Uso's sake, His fans can only hope that the match stays as it is now, and that he YEETs his way to a victory. Any changes to the match could kill his momentum - win or lose.