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#3 - "Non-Title Match" - Ricochet vs AJ Styles (WWE Monday Night RAW)
This next match is a bit of a dream match for fans of independent wrestling, or should I just say wrestling in general. Ricochet shocked the world and became the new WWE United States Champion the previous night at Stomping Grounds by defeating Samoa Joe. A man that AJ Styles knows all too well and has feuded with countless times between Impact Wrestling and the WWE respectively.
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Therefore, it was no surprise when we saw the quick tease for a match between AJ and Ricochet occur during the champs' photoshoot that was interrupted by The Club. The match was confirmed and set for the following day by WWE and the rest was history.
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson tried to get involved in the early going of the match, but AJ intervened and told them to stay in the back. This made things an even playing field as it should be. Both men pushed each other and put on a wrestling clinic. Ricochet pushed AJ Styles to his limit and showed "The Phenomenal One" that he could go beyond, reaching down deep and pulling out some of the older AJ Styles from years past back to the surface.
Ricochet went for the 630 Splash, but AJ Styles was able to counter and then connect with a Phenomenal Forearm to pick up the victory. AJ showed respect to the United States Champion, as he raised Ricochet's hand afterwards. This match was a non-title contest, so we can bet to see a rematch for the Championship at Extreme Rules booked very soon.
Both men delivered on every expectation that we could've expected and then some. Ricochet may have taken the loss here, but still got the spotlight and the respect earned from one of the very best in the game today, AJ Styles. Give the two men a rematch and we may have a different result, mark my words.
I would not mind seeing AJ Styles vs Ricochet in an Ironman Match for the US Championship. Give the two men thirty minutes and see what these two men can do.
