[2016-05-01-WWE-Payback] A.J. Styles vs Roman Reigns

[GOTNW]

Holy shit this was amazing. It's a serious best WWE match ever contender for me. I really don't get why people get so upset over the overbooking, and honestly it was fine here. I don't remember the last time a WWE match so ambitious. The early portion was PERFECT in establishing Reigns' power and AJ made himself look good in the process too because when he did overcome it it meant that much more. I loved how it was paced, it had the greatest table spot in WWE history and a plethora of neat little touches. AJ avoiding Reigns' big suicide dive and then quickly leaping on him with the diving forearm was such a neat spot that made him look great. All of the big counters looked almost shockingly organic and natural for a 2016 WWE match and the rope break nearfall made my heart stop for a second. They both took some disgusting bumps here. Another thing I loved is how AJ used the Pele Kick as a way to upgrade his striking combo after it failed to take Reigns down earlier in the match instead of using it as a counter spot like he usually does, and to that point AJ quickly hitting Reigns with a Snapmare after Reigns survived his striking combo also made him look like a smart wrestler. I want to re-watch this and I don't remember when was the last time I felt that way about a WWE match. And Reigns hitting AJ with another Superman Punch after the big counter one also put AJ over as a serious threat and was just a badass thing to do and then AJ did that awesome delayed selling instead of popping up like you'd see in the Zayn-Owens match. These two have a five star match in them. ****3/4

[Microstatistics]

Watched this based on the review above and it actually is a really good match. Surprisingly violent and the theme of power vs. speed/smarts was played to great effect. The match was also filled with great selling by both but particularly by Reigns. His selling of the hurt hamstring was amazing. He looked really really good in this and it's unfortunate he will never get the credit for it as per the John Cena syndrome because of his unpopularity it somehow means he is a terrible wrestler. *** 3/4

 

The overbooking was unnecessary but didn't really hurt the match. For a moment, I thought this suddenly turned into El Satanico vs. El Dandy after the lowblow spot but Styles was not actually faking.

[Jordan]

This was incredible, and probably my MOTY. The point about pacing is spot on especially early on when you’ve got these moments of actual tension and intrigue about what’s about to happen and when it turns into a violent clothesline from Reigns or a counter by AJ it feels all the more special. The work from the opening up to the insane phenomenal forearm spot was perfect and I oddly have to give the crowd credit for turning in a Cena/Punk MITB ‘11 performance here with how into this they were. The overbooking stuff doesn’t bother me and in between we still get some awesome stuff like Roman getting crushed by a diving kneedrop from AJ and those back to back Superman punches that had this sort of authoritative and hierarchy-defining attitude behind them that you want an ace to showcase when he’s put in one of these “away game” type situations. "Phenomenal" match (as was the ER one) and you really wish these guys meet up again down the line.

[SmartMark15]

Just saw this today, and I got to say that I fall on the side of people who feel the overbooking did take away from it a little. Don't get me wrong, it's still a fantastic match. The opening stuff is pretty much perfect. Watching stuff like that, it continues to baffle me the hate that Roman Reigns gets online. He is clearly without a doubt, just a top of the line worker with uncanny in-ring charisma. The forearm table spot was INSANE and I honestly did not see it coming. I did love that the interference in the finishing stretch was able to incorporate the cronies in really great ways. I loved how Reigns just tossed Styles right into the crowd and the dive dodge into barricade leap looked absolutely wonderful.

 

However, I do feel that the count out and the DQ slowed things down unnecessarily. Shane and Steph hogging some spotlight didn't look that hot either. This would have been greatly improved with just having been a No DQ, No Count Outs match to begin with so you could have a more organic flow while still getting the fun shenanigans in down the line.

 

Still, though, a pretty great match.

 

****1/4

[SAMS]

Reigns is one of few people on the roster who I consistently enjoy watching, but his greatest weakness is his inability to work effectively on top - it's not a coincidence that his best two opponents are Brock and Braun - and the first half of this match really dragged due to this very reason. It seemed like Reigns took control almost immediately and forced Styles to crawl around selling while he sauntered around the ring trying to look menacing. The first time this match really kicks up a gear is when he hits that springboard forearm to the outside that lays waste to Roman. Styles desperately trying to get Roman back into the ring and, just before the 10 count, he realises he just won't make it is a fantastic moment, as the look he shows is of raw disappointment. I have to say I was surprised they went that route and it did feel like the match was a little short. Lo and behold I was right, as out comes Shane and the glut of bullshittery that followed was foreshadowed right then. I hated the DQ and the subsequent interference but that seems to be more a personal preference thing as it hasn't seemed to put off others as much as me. I feel that there's a good match in here somewhere, but I just can't quite find it.

 

OKAY (2-2.75*)

 

Edit: Upon a further rewatch, I can only think that I had 2000s WWE fatigue when I initially wrote this. I still have major issues around the McMahon involvement but there's too much quality here for me to ignore. This match didn't exhilarate me, but I'll admit that I was at least titillated this time round.

 

GREAT (3.75-4*)

[cactus]

Reigns is hated by this crowd and he leans right into this. He might be WWE's ace, but he's happy to look at the WWE fans who can't stand him with absolute disdain. Reigns' power spots all look fantastic and Styles does a sublime job of realistically taking control of Reigns. That Phenomenal Forearm through the announce table spot went off without a hitch and I also didn't see it coming. The count-out/disqualification tease false finish are so passe and you can see them coming from a mile away. I was fine with the interference, but I can't stand those dive spots where everyone stands around waiting to catch the wrestler, and this match had two of those said spots. Both Styles and Reigns put in incredible performances here, but the main thing stopping this from getting the full five-star treatment from me is the horrendous booking.  ★★★★½

[Superstar Sleeze]

WWE Champion Roman Reigns vs AJ Styles - WWE Payback 2016

A match so fucking good I convinced my whole family to drive from Boston to Newark to see the rematch at Extreme Rules. A match so fucking good that AJ Styles became a made man earning a John Cena feud and multiple world championships. A match so fucking good I thought it was the Best WWE I had ever seen. This was all ten years ago can a match live up to these memories yes because this match is so fucking good. 
 

Absolutely sublime performance from both men but Roman Reigns makes this match. There are so many details that come together to make this match but if there was one detail it was Roman’s selling. It was dual selling of both the head and the leg. He sold being knocked for a loop, concussed so well. You really believed AJ had a chance in this match due to his head rocking strikes. Which is also a testament to Roman BECAUSE THIS WAS THE FIRST PPV AFTER MANIA! He just won the title from HHH at Mania this is a throwaway defense everyone and their mother knew he would win but goddamnit did they get you to buy into AJ winning. The second selling component was the leg between the kicks and the Calf Slicer This set up AJ for big offense down the like. Roman’s comeback incorporates all this cool nuanced selling and it feels like he is overcoming all this pain to deliver big offense. You feel his back against the wall and he will not be denied. He wrestled KING-SIZED in this.

AJ wrestles this match pitch perfect. After a rocky start to his WWE tenure with Jericho he gets this opportunity that would make him or break him. Talk about rising to the occasion. The beginning of the match is all about establishing AJ’s speed vs Roman’s power. Roman just stuffs AJ at every turn lock up, headlock, waist lock. Roman feels like a mountain. I have never felt Roman work this big before. Everything is snug. AJ Resorts to hit & run tactics quick kicks to the leg, powdering and forcing Roman to chase. It creates this amazing cat & mouse dynamic. The lariat from Roman is MACK TRUCK! Then Roman starts to show off. Powerbombs from crazy position. He is a Lion playing with his kill. UNTIL BANG~! The kick to the head on the Superman Punch that rocks him. I LOVE that Roman doesnt bump. AJ gives him a tornado of strikes but doesnt bump. It takes the Calf Crusher to set up Roman really selling the leg to powder and create the opportunity for the Phenomenal Forearm to the outside. I don’t see the McMahon restarting the match as a detriment au contaire it is an ENHANCEMENT because it serves as chapters. 
 

The first chapter ends with AJ winning the battle. Roman can’t even make it back to the Ring with AJ’s help because speed & guile has bested brawn. Roman took AJ too lightly and now with a restart looks like he will falter. AJ wisely knows too much time has elapsed to simply pin Roman so he wants a big move but Roman moves. So AJ hits another tornado of strikes but punctuates with a Pele Kick which gets me pumping my fist. He goes up top but eats knees on the 450. Now it is the scramble who can regain control and Roman accidentally maybe punches AJ in the nuts coming off the top. Was it accidental? Was it just in the heat of the scramble that he hit low OR was he so desperate? I love him when matches make you question like that. Again the restart acts a chapter. 
 

Now Roman has an advantage unlike after the first restart but his bell is still Ring and his leg is fucked. The way he throws AJ up top and knocks him was sick. His reaction was ALL MAN! I loved that! He was overcoming the pain. He didn’t stop selling. He was playing through the pain. AJ comeback on the outside with the knee drop on the announce table was sick. The Roman bump over the railing was gnarly. I thought Gallows & Andersons and USO’s added to the drama of the match. The Magic Killer and the Phenomenal Forearm was a great combo with Roman’s foot on the ropes. The best spot of the match was Roman’s insane no hands over the top rope plancha onto the pile but no AJ who pops up out of nowhere with the Phenomenal Forearm. The Springboard 450 I bit hard on. If Roman was more established I think AJ should won here and dropped it back at Extreme Rules but Roman was too fragile to play games like that. The Phenomenal Forearm into the Spear was a superb finish. AJ was game to the bitter end and Roman was stretched to his absolute opening but saw slighted opening and BANG~! ACCELERATED THROUGH THE HOLE FOR THE WIN!

I thought this was more Japanese than a typical WWE match. I think most classic WWE matches have a very clear hook like you sum up why it is amazing in a sentence or two. This was incredible because they stayed true to their characters knew their roles and then reacted to what the match gave them. These weren’t out of Ring characters like Hulk Hogan the Superman or Stone Cold the take no shit badass. These were wrestling roles a power wrestler versus a tactician great at strikes and aerial assault. As power wrestler negates the tacticians ability to land his offense the tacticians comes up with ways to negate the power wrestlers offense through head rocking strikes and leg attacks. Now the Power wrestler has to overcome a weakness and the tactician has to figure out how to hit his bombs in a way that the match gives it to him. So it is very detailed oriented and very technical. So rewarding. Bravo! Is it the greatest WWE match of all time? No I think Bret vs Stone Cold is. It is definitely Top 10, it might be Top 5 I’d have to look. This match is so fucking good. *****