#5 Roman Reigns vs AJ Styles – Extreme Rules, 2016
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The second instalment of Reigns vs Styles was truly – to borrow a well-known catchphrase, “Phenomenal”. Everybody was fascinated to observe another collision between WWE’s handpicked number 1 guy, and the man who had recently entered the company after years of being widely recognised as the best in the business, and things certainly lived up to expectations.
Looking back, it has to be said that this match was all about AJ Styles. Having been in the company just under four months at this point, this match served as his coming of age party; he had reached the main event and was there to stay after putting in another amazing performance opposite Reigns.
A top AEW star just called one of his colleagues 'spoiled' and 'narcissistic' HERE.
However, this would not have been possible with just any man stood across the ring from him. The role that Roman Reigns had in making the match a great one has been greatly understated in the time since the event. Despite WWE presenting it as a babyface vs babyface clash, Reigns undoubtedly played the heel during this particular match, as the crowd sided with Styles, which worked to perfection in terms of portraying himself as the physically superior champion, and Styles as the gutsy, spirited athlete.
The pair fought into the crowd, brought out the weapons and had to navigate the involvement of The Usos and Gallows and Anderson to provide an absolutely fantastic example of a well-paced, enthralling Extreme Rules match. There were a number of huge spots during the match, including Styles being put through two different announce tables and Reigns taking a Phenomenal Forearm from Styles, who had leapt from the pre-show table in amongst the fans.
Anderson and Gallows then showed up to hit Reigns with a Boot of Doom and enable Styles to make a cover, which was unsuccessful. Following this, The Usos interfered and laid out Gallows and Anderson before both hitting Styles with a Superkick, then a Samoan Splash. Styles kicked out, which led into a breathless finale.
Reigns kicked out of one Styles Clash, and then received another one, but this time onto a chair. One of The Usos grabbed at Styles’ leg, momentarily delaying him making the cover and allowing Reigns to kick out again. Styles then duly went crazy with a chair, unleashing a barrage of shots onto Reigns and The Usos.
In a finish that echoed their clash at Payback, Styles went for the Phenomenal Forearm, only to be met with a huge Spear, and that was it. Reigns had defeated AJ Styles, retained his title, and proven without a shadow of a doubt that he can deliver on the big stage.
