WWE Payback 2016: The Results & Highlights You Need to Know

Roman Reigns (c) vs. AJ Styles (WWE World Heavyweight Championship)

WWE Payback 2016

Winner: And still the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Roman Reigns!

Highlights: The crowd cheered on AJ and crapped all over Reigns once the opening bell rang. During the initial lockup, Reigns shoved AJ into the ring corner. On the 2nd lockup exchange, AJ got in a nice side headlock but was unable to throw him over. Reigns threw him right into the ropes. On the 3rd lockup encounter, AJ got manhandled again but he got in a quick kick to Reigns’ leg. AJ went right back to striking Reigns with even more swift leg kicks. Reigns used his power to flip AJ over his back, but AJ got right back up and hit an armdrag on Reigns that sent him to the outside. Back in the ring, Reigns and AJ continually got in each other’s heads with mind games. Reigns chased AJ around, which led to Reigns catching even more kicks when he slid back into the ring. AJ got in a ton of strikes before he caught a powerful shoulder tackle from Reigns to the outside.

AJ regained his composure, got back into the ring and worked on Reigns with leg kicks. AJ tried to grab a leg, but Reigns clubbed him with a blow to the back of the neck. Both men began countering each other and laid in some nice strikes. Reigns got the better of AJ when he flatted him with a lethal Clothesline. Reigns got into gear afterwards when he used a roll-up pin maneuver to combo into a Powerbomb AJ. Reigns then landed a Sitdown Powerbomb on AJ soon after. Reigns went for his Superman Punch, but AJ stopped him in his tracks with an Enzuguri. AJ launched into his strike combo and then landed his Running Forearm strike on Reigns. AJ then hit his Fireman’s Carry Neckbreaker on Reigns, but could only manage to nab a 2-count. AJ chopped Reigns in the corner, but then got flipped over the to rope. Reigns caught a hopping AJ and tried to go for a Samoan Drop, but AJ countered by slipping out and locking in his Calf Crusher submission.

Reigns remained locked in for a few seconds before he finally escaped. Then in a crazy moment, AJ hit his Phenomenal Forearm to Reigns through the announce table on the outside. As both men fought to get back in the ring, the ref counted to 10 against Reigns. AJ got into the ring just in time to get the count-out victory. Reigns remains champion. All of a sudden, Shane O’Mac came out to restart the match with no count-out’s added on. AJ threw Reigns back in the ring and went to the top rope, but Reigns moved out of harm’s way. AJ came down and got into a big strike battle with Reigns that ended with his Pele Kick. AJ took the top rope again, but he landed right on Reigns’ knees during a 450 Splash attempt.

AJ went to the skies again, but came back down right into a gut punch from Reigns. But to the ref, it appeared to be a low blow. AJ Styles wins by disqualification. Reigns still remains champ. Then, Steph’s music hit. She restarted the match with No DQ rules. Reigns went for AJ, but he got hit with several elbow strikes. Reigns laid AJ on the top rope and struck him right to the outside. Reigns then punished AJ all over the outside of the ring and right into the crowd. AJ fought back by landing a Clothesline on Reigns over the security barrier and then landing a flying knee drop to the back of his on the announce table. AJ went for his Phenomenal Forearm, but he flew right into a Superman Punch. Somehow, AJ kicked out of a follow-up pin attempt. Reigns picked up AJ and hit him with another Superman Punch. Reigns then went for his finishing Spear.

Suddenly, Anderson and Gallows grabbed AJ out of the ring and began assaulting Reigns. Reigns got flattened and AJ dragged himself back onto the ring apron. AJ then caught Reigns with another Phenomenal Forearm, but Reigns survived the following pin. Soon, The Usos came out to brawl with Anderson and Gallows. While both teams fought, Reigns threw AJ right on top of them all on the outside. Reigns splashed onto everyone except for AJ. AJ snuck in another Phenomenal Forearm to Reigns from the crowd barrier. AJ then hit his Springboard 450 to Reigns, but could only grab a 2-count. AJ then signaled for the Styles Clash, but Reigns fought out of it. Reigns looked for a Superman Punch, but AJ kicked him away. AJ went airborne once again, but Reigns dodged him and speared him for the 1-2-3.

After the match, Vince spoke to Shane and Steph about AJ getting a rematch. It was decided that AJ would face Reigns for the title at Extreme Rules 2016 in…well, an Extreme Rules match.


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