Roman Reigns vs. AJ Styles: WWE Extreme Rules 2016 Odds, Preview and Pick

Roman Reigns and AJ Styles face their biggest test yet: each other.

At WWE Extreme Rules on Sunday, these two men will face off under extreme rules, with no disqualification and no count-outs. The coveted prize once again on the line is Reigns’ WWE world heavyweight title.

In other words, there must be a winner.

This bout is more personal than their bout at WWE Payback, which saw those same stipulations added after controversial false finishes. Since then, their friends and family have gotten involved. The Usos support Reigns, their cousin. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson have Styles’ back.

Two months of fighting comes to a head this Sunday. But how should this match go down?

Their intense rivalry has been on display throughout these past few months. Whether it’s Reigns putting Styles through a table or Styles beating down Reigns with a chair, it’s clear both men will show up with their game on.

This brings us to this championship bout. Let’s examine the main event of WWE Extreme Rules, with Roman Reigns battling AJ Styles!

Roman Reigns	-1050
AJ Styles	+550

For starters, these two work well together. It’s a classic case of technicality matched by tenacity. Styles can beat you in any way he sees fit, with his submission prowess and high-flying ability. Reigns uses power and speed but has aggression behind it, making him a formidable foe.

We witnessed that at Payback. This battle will only intensify with the extreme rules stipulation.

As far as any outside interference, we could very well see that again. Styles recently said in an interview with Michael Cole that he’ll do whatever it takes to win the WWE world title. That might mean we can get another appearance of Styles’ friends and Reigns’ family in the bout.

Both teams fight each other in a Texas Tornado match. Depending on how that match goes down, expect at least one team to interfere in the championship.

The match itself will feature several weapons, but primarily, expect the steel chair to come into play. Considering both Reigns and Styles have used the chair on each other, it’s only fitting for it to be used.

Also expect tables to be broken. Styles put Reigns through one at Payback, and during the following Raw, Reigns put Styles through one. Why not incorporate the table factor into their violent war?

Expect the intensity to be matched once again. Styles set the tempo in their first encounter, but Reigns made an intense improvement. There was a sense of urgency, something we haven’t seen in Reigns for quite some time.

Perhaps the WWE world champion needed to be pushed by a hungry opponent. Whether you’d like to admit it or not, AJ Styles pushed Roman Reigns to answer the bell, which will happen again at Extreme Rules. This time, the interference will be warranted. Styles, who has gotten this far on his own apparently, believes he can do so with his friends by his side.

Unfortunately, this bout will signal the beginning of the end for their reunion. When it’s all said and done, expect Roman Reigns to retain, thanks to Styles’ friends and not because of The Usos.

Accidents happen, and that’s what will most likely happen during this title bout. Expect Anderson and Gallows to make a crucial mistake and cost Styles the world title in pursuit of the opportunity in his second title shot.

The ending works because it gives Styles more time as a face while protecting his standing. Styles’ reputation doesn’t take a hit because of interference, especially at the cost of his friends.

Reigns won’t be hurt either. Not only will he remain champion, but he’ll also continue to develop his character. While coming off as smug, Reigns is on to something with his character. If he continues on this path, he may emerge as the main guy WWE sees in him.

Granted, this may not happen. We all know WWE’s Extreme Rules event is full of surprises, and the main event is no exception. Frankly, the only thing guaranteed in this championship bout is another vicious encounter between Roman Reigns and AJ Styles.