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.

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.

VINCE ISN'T HELPING ROMAN

He is in the sense of getting behind Roman Reigns and giving him the "push". Fans began to reject Reigns, showing weekly that they are not a part of the Roman Empire at this point in time. Although many will disagree, I don't think this is exactly what is hurting Reigns current stock. Anyone who holds a title has Vince's support on some level. Even if only a "transitional" champion, Vince entrusted them to fill that spot, and if the selected hits it out of the park at that time, meaning they will remain at the top a little longer or will be in the near future. If they don't then they weren't able to maintain their fan fare. Yes, there are exceptions (ie Zack Ryder years ago) but true greats can turn sh!t into shineola.

How I think Vince is negating Roman Reigns progress with the audience is the sudden promo delivery, and just tonight on RAW, as Roman was delivering his new "I'm not a bad guy. I'm not a good guy. I'm THE guy" schtick, there was a brief moment where Vince's voice chimed in with a "I love that!" (or something along those lines). Combine that with the endless reference to how the post Wrestlemania RAW crowd will cheer who they usually boo and visa versa. The crowds are always very vocal, but not usually in Bizzaro Land fashion like us Canadians. They booed Roman because they aren't behind him anymore. All of this is what is really killing this moment.
I can't even think of a superstar who could get Roman over as a baby face. Jericho kind of proved that tonight, where the crowd opted to chant "We Are Idiots!" instead of getting behind Reigns. Jericho, like Triple H, is a master of going ultimate Heel. Neither have been able to get this to work. I have mentioned before that the only guy who could pull this off is perhaps John Cena. A heel turn that simply is his acknowledgment of it, joining The Authority, being handed his 16th WWE World Championship. After six months to a year, fans would be begging for anyone to knock him off the throne. It is either that, or Roman turns heel himself a la The Rock.

Not sure how long this will go on. AJ Styles is now the #1 Contender, and is pretty over with the crowd. Will he get the nod to wear the belt for now, or are they prepping Roman to turn? Because this isn't going to help Roman's Empire in regards to the crowd reaction.