AJ STYLES: THE LONG SHOT

It is kind of weird to think of AJ Styles being the "underdog", as he truly is phenomenal. He's transitioned perfectly into the WWE Universe, you would think that he is a WWE Veteran, and not just an overall Vet. But, in the WWE he is a rookie none the less. AJ is also not the "traditional" WWE Superstar in regards to being THE man. We've seen others break that invisible glass ceiling, CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, etc. Difference being that they had to acan still lmost "earn" their way to the top through the WWE Universe. AJ Styles is still a WWE rookie, having only been in the WWE since being a surprise entrant in the 2016 Royal Rumble.

Those are the basics. AJ Styles is also not Roman Reigns. WWE has been building to all of this for almost 2 years now. Money In The Bank cash in, The Authority, etc are a thing of the past. Unless things have changed, The Roman Empire is on a run as being the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. The new don't care attitude says that they are going to keep trying to win fans over. So again, unless things have changed, AJ isn't walking out with the title after Payback.
Are they at least turning Roman heel or going with the new evolved "good" and "bad" guy routine? Which is where it isn't face versus heel, as it is fan fav against person fans like less. I say evolved because of people like Kevin Owens, who are fan favorite in regards to ring ability but can garner cheers as a face and boos as a heel. If people booed Owens as champ, it would be because his character at that time called for it. If Reigns doesn't turn, fans will be booing because he wins and not because they simply prefer Styles. It isn't because Roman is a bad guy, it isn't because Roman is a good guy, it is because fans just don't want him as THE guy in this manner. Just like with John Cena, who I've mentioned could "turn" without doing anything but acknowledging he is a heel. Same stuff, just justifying the chorus of boos. It is also hard to see past a traditional "someone runs in and screws AJ over, he feuds with them, Reigns on to the next challenger" scenario as well.

Things aren't horrible with a Reigns win though, well, if they played it out as such it wouldn't. I've said before how The Usos are going through a similar situation as their cousin Roman. Beyond their entrance, fans don't seem to be behind the tag team. So, why not have them join The Roman Empire and have all turn heel? Usos run in costing AJ the title, Karl Anderson and Doc/Luke Gallows follow-up clearing the ring and starting The Bullet Club now The Balor Club with AJ? Then feuding of course. Joe isn't part of the Samoan Dynasty, but he could be included in the Roman Empire, with Finn Balor in the Balor Club to make this that much better.

Guess we shall see soon. Again, I am big fan of AJ Styles and have been wanting a WWE jump for years. I would just be shocked if he walked away from Payback as the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. A very welcomed shock, but a shock none the less. Guaranteed positive is that I'll be watching via the WWE Network. Couldn't handle disappointment at PPV pricing.

NXT MAIN ROSTER CALL-UPS

The choices are all deserving, I just can't help but wonder the "why" behind it. Again, deserving, so is that the simple reason? The obvious of reasons would be the significant number of WWE Superstars on the shelf at the moment. Cesaro just returned on RAW. There is still John Cena (close to returning), Seth Rollins, Neville, Randy Orton. The question that arises from this scenario is, what happens when everyone returns? Will we see some future endeavored? Sent back to NXT?

Or, are we seeing the beginning of a main roster expansion to...split up between RAW and Smackdown!? Vince McMahon did give Shane McMahon RAW to run. Obviously, Shane can't "fire" Triple H and Stephanie in this scenario. Well, kind of obvious as this is sports entertainment. The Power Couple isn't going to be up for being "under" Shane on RAW either I would assume. Bringing us once again to a RAW V Smackdown! Not so much "head-to-head" as that only lasts so long, and RAW will most likely always come out on top at the end.
With fan awaiting the other members of The Bullet Club now known as The Balor Club (for obvious public relation reasons) to join Finn Balor. Who must be next in line to leave NXT for the main roster, regardless, that brings even more people into the mix. And there is an endless of former WWE talent who could find themselves back with the company. Carlito's name has been popping up as of late, and if you have seen the direction the (former) Los Matadors are heading, it makes a great entry.
This might not be the case though. During the Monday Night Wars, WWE was in a similar situation and needed new stars, so the roster was slightly beefed up and divided into numerous factions and groups. Nation Of Domination, Los Buricuas, D.O.A., Degeneration X, etc. From there the obvious top picks came in the form of The Rock and Triple H, but at that time it also helped other members (ie Road Dogg was uber over, and if not for demons, been a top guy). Now, I am not saying the there isn't any stars on the WWE roster right now, I just think that they don't really know who to  really get behind. If everyone (or majority) are in factions or groups, then it provides a chance to see who the best of the best. And again, it could help out other stars find/re-find their way to the top (or close).

It could be a slight combination of everything. The main roster is now getting a shot of youth, which it needs for the long haul. But, a large roster means less space both in ring and on camera without groupings or splitting. If they do split the brands, I just hope that now with the WWE Network, that each show will have a special event (PPV for those still paying for that) each month. I do remember RAW tended to get top billing, and the 2 month build ups when a brand would get a solo event weren't always great. Guess we will find out as things progress. Until then, Stay Nerdy!

DYNASTY SIZE HEEL TURN

It isn't that they aren't talented. It isn't that the problem is even with them. Fans have fallen off the bandwagons of both Roman Reigns and The Usos. There have been a few occurrences, but Wrestlemania 32 and the following night on RAW solidified things. I've said before that I don't think it is so much that Vince is behind Roman, but more how he is presenting the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Triple H is one the legends who can go full baby face or full heel, and get anyone over on the opposing side. Wrestlemania 32, it didn't happen. Chris Jericho, also overly capable of getting someone over as a baby face or heel. April 4th's RAW, it didn't happen. The same thing with The Usos on both nights against the Dudley Boyz. A tag-team as capable as Triple H and Y2J.

So, not only because it makes sense in regards to character development (remember how The Rock started), but also because of the current landscape of the WWE. Factions of 3 or more are everywhere. The Wyatt Family, The New Day, League Of Nations, #SocialOutcasts, etc. Now that I think about it, this is VERY similar to when we saw Rocky Maivia turn into The Rock. Degeneration X, Nation Of Domination, Job Squad, and more. Heck, even Legion Of Doom was somewhat functioning as a three man unit.
If we are going to make this a WWE total domination type group, then I am adding Samoa Joe to the mix. Not a member of the Samoan Dynasty, but Samoan none the less. Highly capable one to boot. Roman as WWE Champ, Joe with either US or IC titles, and Usos with the tag straps. I am also going with them all in suits and shades. Might be kind of over-done nowadays, but for them it further cements them as new day Samoan wrestlers. Not the large, wild warriors of the past, but the fit, calculating assassins of today. Sorry, tried to sell that a bit haha If we get the Balor Club (formerly Bullet Club) on the main roster, that would make for a great feud in many ways.
Not sure what else they can do to get Roman over with the crowds the way that they (WWE) want. It didn't help that his push began while Daniel Bryan was still in the picture and nobody having a clue that Vince was looking out for D Bryan and not "holding him back". Fans may have to hate him before they can love him. I know that it isn't good to try and replicate the past, but this is almost becoming not an option with Reigns needing to follow The Rock. Not directly, not a carbon copy, but same destination of being so over as a heel that they love you.

It does seem to be going that direction though. Roman taking a "don't give a______" type stance on things. I will admit that the line, "I'm not a bad guy. I'm not a good guy. I'm THE guy!" is really good. But, really good for a heel. Believe that.