When you consider the high-stakes nature of Roman Reigns’ Ambulance Match against Braun Strowman at the first-ever WWE Great Balls of Fire pay-per-view on Sunday, July 9, it is conceivable that the epic slugfest could very well be the most important clash of 2017.

The latest chapter in the extremely volatile rivalry between Reigns and Strowman carries enormous implications for The Big Dog. Reigns has officially staked his claim that Raw is his yard, a notion that could have a tremendous long-term impact on WWE.

Reigns has backed up his talk with a tremendous history of taking on anyone put in front of him while constantly refusing to hide behind the likes of The Authority or any other force that could provide him an easier rise to the top. In April, he earned the rare distinction of overcoming The Undertaker at WrestleMania, which propelled his career to even greater heights. Reigns has clearly proven himself a force to be reckoned with, capable of carrying WWE on his back week-in and week-out. Looking to continue his meteoric rise to the top of the red brand, the three-time WWE Champion has already challenged the winner of the Universal Championship Match between Brock Lesnar and Samoa Joe to a title bout at SummerSlam.

However, despite heroic strides, Reigns is likely well-aware that a second pay-per-view loss to a dangerous competitor like Strowman could seriously threaten his championship aspirations, making it a safe bet that The Guy will pull out all the stops to keep that from happening. But will it be enough?

The match also carries significant ramifications for Strowman, the personification of destruction. Prior to crossing paths with Reigns, Strowman was already running wild and attacking Superstars if he didn’t get his way.

At WWE Payback 2017, Roman Reigns tries to survive his vicious encounter against Braun Strowman. Courtesy of WWE Network.

His brutal attack on The Big Dog in April -- in which he turned over an ambulance with the three-time WWE Champion inside – showed just how far he was willing to go to eliminate the competition. And his victory over Reigns at WWE Payback was punctuated by The Monster Among Men ruthlessly driving the steel steps into his rival’s midsection in an unforgettable and horrifying moment. Now the ferocious Superstar will be out to take full advantage of the chaotic environment of an Ambulance Match, likely with the intent of making Reigns suffer so bad that he won’t be able to compete for the Universal Title.

A loss by Reigns could change everything. If Strowman produces another dominant showing, it’s possible that he could leapfrog his adversary in the Universal Title picture. If the massive competitor once again defeats The Big Dog, he could approach Raw General Manager Kurt Angle the following night on Raw with a legitimate claim to challenge whoever the titleholder is at SummerSlam. And if he were to be granted that right amd went on to capture the championship, Strowman’s reign of uncontrollable mayhem could reach even scarier heights. The level of brutality that would follow with Strowman on the top of the mountain could threaten the very order of Monday Night Raw and all of WWE.

The importance of this match at the first-ever WWE Great Balls of Fire  pay-per-view is heightened given that it is a highly-personal showdown, containing a stipulation that completely throws the rulebook out the window. With all eyes on this inaugural event and the gloves off, it’s safe to say that both Superstars will be at their most vicious, and their combined intensity may result in lasting harm to one another and anyone else who gets in their way.

Don’t miss what promises to be a chaotic brawl at WWE Great Balls of Fire on Sunday, July 9 at 8 ET/5 PT, streaming live on WWE Network.