Show
WWE Payback
Match Preview
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns vs. AJ Styles
Roman Reigns finally toppled Triple H and The Authority at WrestleMania, but come WWE Payback, The Big Dog will find himself defending his newly won WWE World Heavyweight Championship against an entirely different kind of competitor: AJ Styles.
What remains to be seen is whether Styles will come alone or with backup in the form of WWE’s newest bruisers, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows.
The Phenomenal One earned the title bout on the April 4 edition of Raw, triumphing in a mesmerizing No. 1 Contender’s Fatal 4-Way Match against Kevin Owens, the returning Cesaro and rival Chris Jericho. After spending more than a decade traveling the world and capturing almost every heavyweight title worth its salt, Styles made clear to Reigns his intention of adding sports-entertainment’s crown jewel — the WWE World Heavyweight Championship — to his long list of accolades.
Clouding matters between the two popular Superstars, however, has been the arrival of Anderson & Gallows. Longtime running mates of Styles, Anderson & Gallows made an audacious Raw debut when they ambushed The Usos, who are Reigns’ cousins, on April 11. The following week, Anderson & Gallows turned their sights to Reigns, attacking The Big Dog while a seemingly incredulous Styles looked on.
Though The Phenomenal One has publicly reaffirmed his friendship with Anderson & Gallows, he has disavowed their attack on Reigns. The reigning champion, however, seems less convinced there isn’t collusion between his challenger and the devastating pair of Anderson & Gallows.
What will happen at WWE Payback when Styles finally faces Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Title? Will the calf-crushing, forearm-smashing Phenomenal One fly to new heights? Can Reigns protect his championship gold and status as “the guy”? And to what degree might Anderson & Gallows play a part in this hotly anticipated title showdown?
Watch the WWE World Heavyweight Championship clash unfold Sunday, May 1, when WWE Payback airs live on the award-winning WWE Network.
Published on
Roman Reigns finally toppled Triple H and The Authority at WrestleMania, but come WWE Payback, The Big Dog will find himself defending his newly won WWE World Heavyweight Championship against an entirely different kind of competitor: AJ Styles.
What remains to be seen is whether Styles will come alone or with backup in the form of WWE’s newest bruisers, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows.
The Phenomenal One earned the title bout on the April 4 edition of Raw, triumphing in a mesmerizing No. 1 Contender’s Fatal 4-Way Match against Kevin Owens, the returning Cesaro and rival Chris Jericho. After spending more than a decade traveling the world and capturing almost every heavyweight title worth its salt, Styles made clear to Reigns his intention of adding sports-entertainment’s crown jewel — the WWE World Heavyweight Championship — to his long list of accolades.
Clouding matters between the two popular Superstars, however, has been the arrival of Anderson & Gallows. Longtime running mates of Styles, Anderson & Gallows made an audacious Raw debut when they ambushed The Usos, who are Reigns’ cousins, on April 11. The following week, Anderson & Gallows turned their sights to Reigns, attacking The Big Dog while a seemingly incredulous Styles looked on.
Though The Phenomenal One has publicly reaffirmed his friendship with Anderson & Gallows, he has disavowed their attack on Reigns. The reigning champion, however, seems less convinced there isn’t collusion between his challenger and the devastating pair of Anderson & Gallows.
What will happen at WWE Payback when Styles finally faces Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Title? Will the calf-crushing, forearm-smashing Phenomenal One fly to new heights? Can Reigns protect his championship gold and status as “the guy”? And to what degree might Anderson & Gallows play a part in this hotly anticipated title showdown?
Watch the WWE World Heavyweight Championship clash unfold Sunday, May 1, when WWE Payback airs live on the award-winning WWE Network.
Published on
