Why Roman Reigns vs. AJ Styles at WWE Payback 2016 Must End in Controversy

Roman Reigns vs. AJ Styles at WWE Payback has huge ramifications.

The two WWE Superstars will face off at WWE Payback this Sunday in Chicago. They will vie for Reigns’ WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Considering Chicago’s history as a wrestling town, expect Styles to go in as the overwhelming favorite.

This marks Reigns’ first title defense since regaining the world title at WrestleMania 32. The bout also marks Styles’ first shot for the WWE world title.

It’s not just the environment and circumstances that make this a highly anticipated bout.

Just two weeks ago, a few of Styles’ old friends made impacts of their own. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson ambushed The Usos on the April 11 episode of Raw. Anderson and Gallows ran roughshod with Styles at New Japan Pro Wrestling as members of the Bullet Club.

The duo knows how to make the right impression as well as keep things intriguing.

The following week featured a verbal confrontation between Styles and Reigns. After Styles got the better of Reigns, Gallows and Anderson reappeared and assaulted Reigns.

Reigns angrily wanted an explanation from Styles, who denied any involvement in their attack.

They didn’t help Styles' statement when they showed up after he defeated Sheamus this past Monday and clapped for him on stage. The duo also ambushed Reigns after he defeated Alberto Del Rio. But Styles stopped them and told them to leave.

After they did, Styles and Reigns engaged in a brawl. Styles knocked out Reigns with the Phenomenal Forearm to close the show.

This past Thursday on SmackDown didn't help matters for Styles either. Gallows and Anderson ambushed Reigns again, and Styles did not physically attempt to stop his friends. Reigns' cousins, The Usos, made the save instead. 

This leads to an intriguing setup for WWE Payback. We’ll see two of the biggest names in WWE vie for the company’s richest prize. In addition, we may also see a few faces we wouldn’t have expected in Anderson and Gallows.

Bottom line: Roman Reigns vs. AJ Styles must end in controversy.

Let’s analyze how this match would go down. You have two competitors who know how to strike. Reigns makes his living off clotheslines and the Superman Punch. Styles has a variety of punches and kicks that he can hit at any angle.

What separates them is their main repertoire of moves.

Reigns plays the power game. He uses his college football background to wear down his opponents. The defending champion utilizes his speed and agility to get extra power in his moves. It’s why his spear is effective.

Styles is an all-around wrestler. He can fly, strike and get submission victories with his Calf Crusher. The challenger is dangerous at any moment’s notice, especially with the Styles Clash as well. It’s why Styles is not a one-trick pony. 

The match would unfold with conflicting strategies. Reigns would be best suited to overpower Styles and ground him as much as possible. The only downside to that game plan is Styles’ ability to get the Calf Crusher on Reigns.

Styles’ plan should revolve around flustering Reigns. Striking from every angle is what Styles does best. He can hit Reigns from the air and on the ground. The problem is Reigns can do the same with his Superman Punch.

It’s only at the end where it matters most. You cannot build up Gallows and Anderson in this story, only to keep them on the sidelines.

WWE Creative should have them interfere in the main event. Here’s where the controversy could lie: have them cost Styles the title.

Granted, it may not be a popular choice, but any true wrestling fan would expect Styles to have his buddies in tow. But that’s the wrong call.

WWE needs an overwhelming face in the main event picture. Dean Ambrose and Sami Zayn are prime examples of faces who can fit the bill down the line. However, the WWE title picture is a different story.

Reigns is not receiving on-air support in the near future. The WWE needs a face to get the fans rallying around. The company has done that in Styles, and now, it needs to capitalize.

It’s why Gallows and Anderson must cost Styles the title opportunity, and it can’t happen out of happenstance. Intent has to be there behind their motives. Not only would it establish both men as heels, but it would also give Styles an interesting storyline for months to come.

Why would Styles’ old friends turn on him at the biggest opportunity of his career? Why are they really here? Was it all a ploy to help Reigns retain?

These are questions that would drive each wrestler, and the controversy benefits everyone in the long haul. It continues Reigns’ title length while helping the credibility of WWE’s three newest roster members.

Controversy keeps stories going. There’s no hotter story than the inclusion of Styles, Gallows and Anderson in the WWE. With that being said, ending WWE Payback’s main event in controversy is the right call.