SummerSlam 2019 AJ Styles v Ricochet

Reaching the top of the mountain and staying there are two entirely different beasts. At SummerSlam, Ricochet will attempt the daunting task of climbing back to the peak when he takes on the man who dethroned him for the United States Championship, AJ Styles.

Ricochet dazzled the WWE Universe when he captured the United States Championship against Samoa Joe at WWE Stomping Grounds. It felt like a transcendent moment in the surging Superstar’s career, but much like any young first-time champion, Ricochet quickly discovered that the differences between being “the hunter” and “the hunted” aren’t just old clichés.

In Ricochet’s case, the hunter was AJ Styles. And his pack was The O.C.

Styles and Ricochet have had several jaw-dropping encounters in the lead-up to their title match at WWE Extreme Rules, none more shocking than when The Phenomenal One reunited with Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows to beat down Ricochet ahead of their championship fight. Gallows & Anderson continued to rear their heads, playing a pivotal role in Styles’ victory over Ricochet for the title at Extreme Rules.

However, unlike many young champions before him, Ricochet refused to let the short title reign and punishment suffered at the hands of the veteran group deter him. Instead, the acrobatic standout bested several of Raw’s best in a grueling Gauntlet Match to earn another title opportunity against Styles, this time at The Biggest Event of the Summer.

So, will a hardened and battle-tested Ricochet reclimb the mountain en route to regaining the United States Championship by defeating Styles at SummerSlam? Or, will Styles, with his new demeanor and running buddies, prove that the mountaintop is property of The O.C. in which Ricochet is not allowed?