Ring the bell.
>> Well during the break we thought we'd see AJ Styles versus Commander Azeez.
During the break Apollo Crews say no, I want AJ Styles for myself,
I'm giving Azeez the night off.
Bring it to the most experienced, superstars on the roster one on one.
>> On paper this could be a goodness face melter of a matchup.
Styles, and Crews two tremendous athletes,
two champions here in WWE throughout the course of their careers.
>> But, AJ Styles is used to his opponents, having to be the one with
the eyes in the back of their head with a giant outside the ring.
How does he like being that person now- >> Maybe it recently Jimmy you're correct
but this is AJ Styles we're talking about.
The fastest superstar, to reach Grand Slam Champion status in WWE.
>> To the cover trying to get it over with, no.
>> AJ Styles didn't forget how to be a singles competitor,
it's just been on the backburner for the past several months.
As tends to happen when you have a seven foot plus monster on your side.
>> But what could affect AJ Styles is his level of focus.
We know how much Styles wants to get his hands on Omos,
how's his transference ability?
How's his ability now to shift that attention to Apollo Crews, here tonight?
>> Textbook vertical suplex by Apollo Crews.
You might be right Saxton, if AJ Styles is looking past Apollo Crews it will not bode
well for The Phenomenal One.
>> And let's talk preparation he thought he might be facing Omos tonight.
Over seven feet tall, an absolute giant, Apollo Crews a different kind of opponent.
A different kind of challenge, that he wasn't ready for at all.
>> Oh-ho.
>> Styles certainly wasn't ready for that high end, back body drop either.
>> To the light trying to finish it.
>> [NOISE] >> AJ Styles up before one.
>> Take another look here look at the incredible height,
AJ Styles, no way to control [SOUND] here.
Apollo Crews he's got nothing to lose.
>> Apollo Crews knows what it means to be a champion in WWE former
United States Champion Intercontinental Champion.
Apollo Crews, knows what he is doing inside the ring.
And don't forget, you've got Commander Azeez lurking on
the outside who is a game changer in every sense of the word.
>> So how important is it for you right now, when you look at AJ Styles?
How important you think it is for him to re-establish his credentials, as a singles
competitor now moving forward- >> I don't think this has anything to
do with credentials or what AJ Styles has accomplished to this point in his career.
Right now AJ Styles feels disrespected by Omos,
if Styles can keep his head focused, and toward Omos in this instance.
Apollo, AJ is gonna be just fine but, if he loses focus, it could be catastrophic.
>> Styles looking to strike on the outside.
>> [NOISE] >> Beautiful move by Apollo Crews.
>> And now the power- >> Look at the strength.
>> Man, rebounding AJ Styles head right off the canvas,
and AJ Styles right now, not looking phenomenal.
>> [NOISE] >> Welcome back to Monday Night Raw,
AJ Styles versus Apollo Crews.
And they have been all over the ring and outside all the offense on display.
>> We saw, the power that Apollo Crews possess, firsthand,
dropping Styles face first into the canvas.
And following it up with a knee and as you can see in the top corner of your screen,
Apollo Crews, in control right now.
>> And I think if you're gonna ask who's more motivated in this match.
I think you have to go with Apollo Crews for the simple fact that Crews is still
trying to create some traction here on Monday Night Raw.
Trying to create some buzz around his name, to earn a victory over Styles,
that trajectory changes completely, for Apollo Crews.
>> I agree wholeheartedly but the Pele Kick right over that top.
>> [NOISE] >> Apollo Crews rocked by AJ Styles, but
does AJ have enough left in the tank to recover?
>> Apollo Crews I don't know if he knows where he is.
>> This is exactly the kind of opening Styles needed in this matchup here,
against a game Apollo Crews, now here comes Styles.
>> Phenomenal blitz finds all of the marks.
>> And Styles with a forearm, good lord.
>> That's what experience catches the ability to dig deep when you need it, and
this crowd in Detroit is feeling it.
Great move by Apollo Crews just in time.
>> Countered by Styles. >> With a cover.
>> One, two.
>> [NOISE] >> Wow, a late kicked out by Apollo Crews,
that was close.
>> Close but Apollo Crews is still in this,
Styles has to maintain his offensive onslaught.
>> Guys, we're getting closer and closer to the renewal of the vows of Miz and
Maryse, this night is just getting better and better.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Could be looking for
the Styles Slash cover sunset flip, nope.
>> Apollo must- >> Wow.
>> Styles.
>> Look at the power of Apollo Crews, gotta be it.
>> It is not.
>> Just in time for AJ Styles.
>> At the last possible second look at the raw strength, from Apollo Crews.
Sit out powerbomb very nearly knocking off Styles.
>> We talked about the strength of the giants like Omos and
Commander Azeez, Apollo Crews, unbelievably powerful.
>> Not for nothing Apollo Crews is showing us something here tonight,
against one of the very best in AJ Styles.
>> [NOISE] >> AJ able to escape the clutches of
Crews.
>> Still crafty, still motivated so
experienced is The Phenomenal One with moves like that.
>> Classic styles right there, inverted DDT.
>> Rebounding the back of the neck, of Apollo Crews off the canvas look at this.
>> On point Moonsault into the inverted DDT,
seen it a million times it never gets old.
>> And instinctually Styles is in position.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Commander Azeez,
>> What good is Commander Azeez around if
he won't take it out of harm's way from time to time?
>> [CROSSTALK] into that Phenominal Forearm and landed.
>> No, no no no no no no no no no, no.
>> Goodness.
>> That could be it Styles might be [CROSSTALK]
>> He dumped him, he's out of the cover.
>> Double leg hook.
>> Man, that was awfully close.
>> Look at the impact, the ring apron, been known to be
the hardest part of the entire ring, absolutely unforgiven.
>> [NOISE] >> Just ask AJ's vertebrae right now.
>> Both of these superstars absolutely spent,
they have given it all in this match.
>> And they both look like they could go another 30, 40 minutes apiece.
These are two superb physical specimens, doing what they do best.
>> Who can draw, who can do more, who can draw the energy when they need it?
>> Right now, it looks like Apollo Crews.
>> A more high impact offense in mind, by Apollo Crews.
>> Thinking superplex but a beautiful escape by AJ Styles.
>> [NOISE] >> From behind.
>> Crews able to land on his feet.
>> AJ Rocking an Enziguri.
>> Enziguri right to the chin.
>> God.
>> Whoa.
>> Cover.
>> You just jumped back ten feet Corey.
>> AJ Styles missed a catastrophic landing uh-oh.
>> To the cover, and back through, back through he's going for
Styles Clash, [CROSSTALK] >> Wow.
>> Can he finish him?
>> One, two, three.
>> And he does a huge win for AJ Styles.
>> Here is your winner,
The Phenomenal, AJ Styles.
>> The holiday just got a little less happy for
Apollo Crews and Commander Azeez.
But a hard fought win no, get out of there AJ.
>> That is exactly what the veteran AJ Styles does.
>> He's no fool.
>> Never under any circumstance, bet against The Phenomenal One.
And tonight was just the latest example as to why.
Commander Azeez obviously frustrated,
with the loss of Apollo Crews.
>> No shame,
from coming up shot against The Phenomenal AJ Styles one of the best to ever do it.
>> AJ Styles wanted momentum.
>> Whoa, whoa whoa whoa.
>> Down goes Azeez.
>> [LAUGH] >> Did I just say momentum?
>> Momentum, a statement, bolden underscored,
AJ Styles, could very well deliver The Phenomenal Forearm, to Omos.
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