When it seems the dust has finally settled after a series of big moves on RAW and SmackDown in this week's WWE Superstar Shake-up, reports coming from several sources indicate that A.J Styles will eventually join the Monday Night show, where he will be feuding with Roman Reigns next.
Pro-Wrestling.com reported that the Phenomenal One is expected to interfere in the no.1 contender's match between Reigns and Braun Strowman in the main event of WWE Payback 2017. Style's action on the PPV event will set up his second storyline feud with the Big Dog.
"It's being rumored that if AJ Styles is moved to Raw, that he'll interfere in the Reigns vs. Strowman match. Styles interference will setup a feud with Reigns, which will keep him busy until he challenges Lesnar for the Universal Title," according to Prowrestling.com.
More personal rivalry
Styles and Reigns had an entertaining feud last year as the two superstars competed for the coveted WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Payback and Extreme Rules. This year, their rivalry will be a lot more personal since Style will be costing Reigns a shot at the WWE Universal Championship.
According to insiders, WWE executives is hoping the move to put Reigns against Styles will tone down the backlash the former Shield member is receiving following his victory over the Undertaker at Wrestlemania 33.
Reigns would also need to come up with a 4 or 5-star performance, if he still aspires of becoming a babyface darling. Styles, arguably the best in-ring performer in the world, seems to be the only man capable of elevating the stature of any match.
Wrestlemania plan
The feud with Styles will keep Reigns off the championship picture for the time being. Nevertheless, WWE chairman Vince McMahon has already cemented Reigns' spot at Wrestlemania 34 in New Orleans, with a blockbuster Roman vs. Brock title showdown.
