Best Booking Options for Roman Reigns vs. AJ Styles at WWE Payback 2016

Despite the negative reactions from wrestling fans, WWE is heading into the 2016 edition of the Payback pay-per-view with Roman Reigns as the world heavyweight champion.

As for a No. 1 contender, it was AJ Styles who managed to win a Fatal 4-Way on Raw and will now go on to fight for the world title at Payback. For many members of the WWE Universe, the dichotomy between these two combatants is unexpected.

Whether Reigns is going full heel or just filling more of a tweener role, there is no doubt that the world champion is adding an edge to his character. Here are the best booking options for Reigns and Styles at WWE Payback 2016. 

Roman Reigns Adds Edge During Clean Victory

As much as wrestling fans would love to see Styles win the world title, the more likely scenario is Vince McMahon and other WWE officials using Styles as the first stepping stone for Reigns as he continues his run at the top of the card.

While Reigns likely won’t be turning heel—WWE has been booking him to be the next John Cena—the hope is that the world champion will continue adding an edge and more depth to his character so fans can become truly invested.

Many wrestling fans are booing Reigns whenever he is mentioned or in the ring, but with some character development and an edge that he carried while with The Shield, even hardcore fans will be able to at least acknowledge his strides to improve.

Styles will undoubtedly put on a great match with Reigns, just like Bryan, Cesaro and many others have done in the past, but it will be done with the sole purpose of making the world champion look strong during a successful title defense.

Styles Calls for a Little Help from His Friends

One of the storylines WWE fans are waiting for is the rumored arrival of the group known as the Bullet Club, consisting of Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows. While many fans think they will debut to help Finn Balor, it may be Styles the group backs initially.

Styles was the leader of the Bullet Club during his highly successful run in New Japan Pro Wrestling. While the relationship ended in a beatdown, the group could easily be resurrected to help Styles in his quest for the world title.

With Reigns looking down upon wrestlers who didn’t make their marks in WWE or come through the company's system, Styles and his group could act as the faces for the hardcore fans and the heels for the supporters of Reigns. In this scenario, almost all wrestling fans would be polarized to root for one side or the other.

The new stable’s introduction would create a legitimate challenge for Reigns in the future, and the feud could validate Styles as over enough with the WWE Universe to warrant a title change at a major PPV like SummerSlam.

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