Roman Reigns finally toppled Triple H and The Authority at WrestleMania, but come WWE Payback, The Big Dog will find himself defending his newly won WWE World Heavyweight Championship against an entirely different kind of competitor: AJ Styles.
The Phenomenal One earned the title bout on the April 4 edition of Raw, triumphing in a mesmerizing No. 1 Contender's Fatal 4-Way Match against Kevin Owens, the returning Cesaro and rival Chris Jericho.
For more than a decade Styles traveled the world, capturing almost every heavyweight title worth its salt, with the exception of one — the WWE World Heavyweight Title. Since debuting in the Royal Rumble Match in January, Styles has more than proven he can hang with WWE's premier Superstars. At WWE Payback, the calf-crushing, forearm-smashing Phenomenal One will finally receive his first crack at the championship that is indisputably recognized as sports-entertainment's top crown.
Now that Reigns has seemingly put his problems with The Authority behind him and regained the WWE World Heavyweight Title, there is no telling how far The Big Dog will go to protect his championship gold and status as "the guy."
Can Reigns’ incredible strength and considerable size advantage, not to mention his debilitating Superman Punch/Spear combination, pave the way to victory? Or will Styles’ experience edge and unparalleled creativity inside the ring net WWE's celebrated newcomer a monumental victory?