[APPLAUSE]
AJ Styles and
Sheamus as Sheamus backs Styles into the corner Sheamus,
of course from the League of Nations.
[NOISE] >> Everything is straight ahead,
everything hurts.
>> Equal opportunity welt giver.
>> And big elbow by Sheamus knocks Styes down.
>> Almost out of his boots >> You talked about how quickly AJ Styles
has ascended to the championship picture.
If you recall, Sheamus came out was very public about the fact he should
have an opportunity to be number one contender.
>> Well he's a former WWE world heavyweight champion.
Styles with a leap flog and off with a throat kick to Sheamus,
the phenomenal AJ Styles.
So much has been made over the past few weeks of the arrival of Styles buddies
from New Japan, Anderson and
Gallows who have their first match in WWE tonight against the Usos.
>> Yeah, that's hardly a coincidence.
>> Are they in collusion with Styles to perhaps help Styles against Reigns Sunday
at Payback.
A lot of people talking about that on social media.
>> Styles shows up, gets a WWE World Heavyweight Championship opportunity and
what happens, his buddies from Japan show up.
>> It's that point AJ's continually denied.
He's continually said look I didn't tell these guys they helped me out.
They're babysitters.
>> Of course he is.
Sheamus with a right hand right into the midsection dropping Styles to his knees.
>> Miami Heat didn't have any collusion with Chris Bosh and
LeBron James either did they?
>> Yeah until this proof that says otherwise all you can do is take AJ at
his word.
>> [NOISE] >> Some of us aren't that naive, Byron.
>> Two and two sometimes equals 4.
>> This is a great test for
styles tonight in the ring against a competitor like Sheamus.
Mentioned before, former WWE World Heavyweight Champion got that.
Got that power style that Roman Reigns uses.
>> AJ said himself he knows he's gonna to have to.
>> Wow. >> He's gonna have to hit harder.
He's gonna have to react a little faster.
>> Cover by Sheamus, kickout by Styles.
>> When he faces Roman.
>> You can watch the impact.
>> [LAUGH] >> Sheamus had a visit to his buddies and
Leinster rugby over the weekend >> Yea the WWE superstars on tour for
a couple of weeks in Europe.
>> Sheamus visited the Guinness pro 12 leaders right now.
Plus a little Teeling whiskey visit, Dublin's favorite son Sheamus
>> Take another look,
watch the impact double boot from Sheamus here to AJ Styles.
Knocking the wind out of the phenomenal one.
Styles just hasn't been able to regain any sort of composure here.
Now perhaps he does.
Sheamus telegraphing that and
Styles with a big forehand driving Sheamus out of the ring.
Sheamus caught off guard by the forearm by AJ Styles.
Now right back to the midsection.
>> Not caught off guard anymore.
And you're right about one thing Michael, this is a great test for AJ Styles.
Roman Reigns is very similar to Sheamus in his physicality.
>> [NOISE] >> Style'a is gonna have
to find a way to combat that, try to out wrestle Roman Reigns.
>> A yank of the knee Sheamus bounces face-first off the apron.
>> The ability to adjust on the fly, that's what makes AJ Styles so effective.
>> And Styles with a running knee.
Sheamus still on his feet but barely.
And now AJ Styles off the apron.
Check it out, Sheamus, what's Styles gonna do here?
>> Went for the moonsault, landed on his feet, and a kick right in the midsection.
And now Styles- >> Man.
>> Over the steps.
And just like that Sheamus has taken control.
Styles is in trouble live on Raw.
>> We're back live on Monday Night Raw.
Sheamus and AJ Styles going to show you the action before the commercial break.
>> Some of them very physical style Sheamus is known for
and this does not bode well for AJ as he has to look forward to this Sunday and
the championship matchup against Roman Reigns.
>> Yeah WWE Payback only on the WWE Network.
Styles and Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight title.
>> Styles trying to seek out somebody punishment.
>> The Irish curse backbreaker.
>> The strength of Sheamus.
>> AJ Styles gonna have to contend with Sunday.
>> You better believe it because that is exactly what he's gonna have with
the Roman Reigns.
>> And another one by Sheamus >> I believe Roman is keeping close tabs
on this matchup What do you think he's thinking?
Seeing the damage done to AJ?
>> I'll tell you what he's thinking,
he's thinking he's hoping AJ Styles gets beat up.
>> Watch this again, right in the lower back of AJ Styles.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Roman Reigns
is liking the fact that it's this physical.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Yea, if you're Sheamus,
you got nothing to lose here >> And
now a big bear hug by Sheamus looking to wear down the phenomenal Styles.
>> Breka down AJ Styles, take away any momentum heading into Sunday
>> But also look at this though Byron,
look if somehow AJ Styles finds a way to beat Roman Reigns, which he could do,
Sheamus, he gets a victory tonight, he'll be number one contender, he'd have to be
>> Absolutely.
>> Sheamus shoulder first into the steel post, and
AJ Styles buys himself some time to regroup here.
And AJ Styles needs to really pick up the momentum.
>> AJ Styles is not gonna be able to trade fists with Sheamus or with Roman Reigns.
I think AJ Styles knows that.
>> And Styles went up for the high risk on the top rope and Sheamus,
the veteran made him pay.
>> Sheamus favoring that left shoulder.
Styles hurting as well and
a big upper cut by Sheamus [NOISE] Not sure Sheamus is the guy
you wanna go one on one with six nights away from your championship opportunity.
>> That's why I think Roman Reigns is smiling.
This don't look good.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Man.
Sent Sheamus flying [APPLAUSE] >> As this capacity
crowd of 12,421 WWE fans look on at our first matchup of the evening.
AJ Styles vs.
Sheamus >> Sheamus landed awkward.
AJ Styles sent >> Him flying,
not that there's an easy way to land from way up there.
>> Halfway across the ring.
>> Yeah, look on Sheamus.
>> Forearm by Styles that another one and here comes AJ Styles starting to fight
back, runs into a forearm from Sheamus and Sheamus blocked by Styles.
And here comes Styles Down goes Sheamus off the clothesline.
The quick feet of Styles.
And again, the running forearm takes Sheamus out but quickly back to his feet.
Picked up by Styles- >> Here's AJ.
>> AJ Styles into the corner with the big splash
Now AJ targeting the shoulder,
Sheamus went shoulder first into the steel post just a few moments ago.
>> What a kick.
>> Styles just as effective with his feet as he is with his forearms.
Styles with Sheamus up on his shoulder [APPLAUSE]
>> Is too strong for that.
>> Man, face first off the turnbuckle goes Styles.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> And now Sheamus power slam,
cover hooks the inside leg, is it enough?
Styles gets his shoulder up at two.
Intense matchup, Styles face first into the turnbuckle.
And Seamus would plant him with a vicious power slam
>> [NOISE]
>> Now perhaps setting Styles up for
the cloverleaf the submission maneuver that Sheamus utilizes.
>> Well, Sheamus if he can just step through.
>> And trying to roll Styles onto his stomach, great block by Styles.
>> Styles knows exactly what's coming.
>> [NOISE] Pele kick, connecting to
Sheamus right on the button.
>> There's a window of opportunity for AJ Styles now.
What do you do with it?
[SOUND] >> Pele kick again right on the mark.
[SOUND] >> Of Sheamus.
>> Well Sheamus, every counter he ever had is because of Sheamus' strength.
Styles had to find something to get to the Celtic Warrior.
>> And perhaps that was it.
[NOISE] Styles forearm after
forearm to the jaw of Sheamus.
>> Styles saying, Sheamus you wanna be physical I can do just as physical.
[NOISE] >> Styles got caught,
Sheamus with a clothesline.
Cover on Styles, is it enough to put him away?
Almost had him, Styles kicks out at two and a half.
>> Sheamus right back into the cloverleaf.
And he's got it.
>> Yeah, this time Sheamus locks it in.
I think six days away for a world heavyweight championship opportunity,
AJ Styles may be tapping out to the Irishman.
>> Styles is in the center of the ring he's got nowhere to go somehow trying to
get onto his elbows and drag himself to the ropes.
>> You can bet Roman Reigns is watching every bit of this.
>> Styles Is he close to tapping out?
>> He's slowly, slowly trying to inch to that bottom rope.
Styles trying to make one last ditch effort to grab the bottom rope and
force to break and it does.
>> You can also bet the Roman Reigns is enjoying every bit of this.
>> But has the damage been done to AJ Styles, [NOISE],
AJ had to know coming into this matchup, Sheamus was going to push.
And Sheamus is doing that more he's punishing Styles
[APPLAUSE] >> Well, you also have to realize the four
other League of Nations member Alberto Del Rio may be punished for.
>> Look out, went for the big bro kick.
>> That got denied.
>> Styles able to duck underneath and now attacking the right leg of Sheamus.
>> Look where Styles is.
>> Styles off the top rope, phenomenal forearm connecting to Sheamus,
here's the cover AJ Styles in the win.
>> Here is your winner, the phenomenal AJ Stlyes.
[APPLAUSE] >> John you think Styles is ready for
Roman Reigns on Sunday?
>> Hey that phenomenal forearm- >> Wait wait
[MUSIC]
Styles buddies on the left,
Luke Gallows on the right Carl Anderson >> Still think it's a coincidence boys?