How will Reigns-Styles match at Extreme Rules affect WWE in the coming months?
What if AJ styles wins the WWE World Title at Extreme Rules this Sunday? Would the world come to an end? Would the company shed a tear now that it would seem Vince McMahon has grown a bit weary of Roman Reigns as the current company title holder and the support for Styles still seems to be white hot? Would a move like this, putting the title on the fan favorite, along with his support from The Club, set off a New World Order-like stable that professional wrestling has lacked since the days of The Shield?
There are plenty of cards to play on Sunday when Reigns and Styles meet for the coveted title – one which is really secondary to the match based on recent events. The slow heel turn of Styles and the continued push of the former Shield member will be on the forefront in a packed house, While keeping the title on the shoulder of Reigns makes sense, with John Cena and Seth Rollins scheduled to return to action shortly, having a new title holder does have its merits as well.
The only issue with it could be the long hard push the McMahon’s have given Reigns to suddenly pull the plug would show weakness and an admission of failure. It could also mean Reigns wouldn’t see another title shot for some time as Styles and Rollins and a Club vs. Wyatt Family feud would certainly be more entertaining. If there was ever a state of purgatory in this business, Reigns might be standing in it right now.
All too often, as in the past with other superstars, Vince McMahon has been unable to budge on his stance to make “x” wrestler a star. When that attempt fails, there is little to fall back on. This time, there is plenty of talent to fall upon or to rise from the back to cover up mistakes. Will McMahon finally let “nature” take its course and give someone else a chance to take the ball and run with it?
Rumor has it McMahon himself may have grown tired of trying to push his current champion while Triple H has been working hard to book him properly. Still, it does not matter what Reigns does as champion. It also does not matter if he is a good guy or bad guy, or even the guy. Fans want what fans want. Maybe everyone involved should just listen to what they are saying.
WWE has done a great job of building this program and have scripted the move of Styles from the good side to the dark side just about as well as it can be written. The aid of Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson are a side story in itself, just like the Usos are in their support of Reigns or Mi Familia. It cannot get any better than it is right now. Fans accept the feud without feeling like it is being overblown or thrown down their throats. Basically, it took Styles to make Reigns the wrestler he currently is.
WWE knew exactly what it was doing from the start when Styles became the No. 1 contender before Payback last month.
What happens on Sunday sets the tone for everything that could be good for this promotion moving forward. And if there is a decision to take the belt off Reigns, you can be sure it will be done with the idea of Rollins becoming the top contender upon his return. Yes, that’s a major win for the fans and the company.
I suspect there will be a surprise or two in the main event. There always seems to be one. Styles cannot lose, despite his current status. Reigns could actual win by losing. It’s all a matter of perception and how this all plays out. If Reigns wins, Cena will get first shot at taking the title away from him and subsequently, we can expect a heel turn from Reigns. If Styles wins, then a potential feud of the year between himself and Rollins could be on the horizon.
WWE couldn’t have booked this any better. And it certainly makes this weekend’s pay-per-view worth watching in anticipation.