10 WWE Matches That Changed Your Mind About Wrestlers You Hated

10. ROMAN REIGNS Vs. AJ Styles - Extreme Rules 2016

That confirmation bias exists to some extent in the case of Roman Reigns. It must. If it didn't, he would not draw accusations of corny promos despite having not uttered something as lame as "tater tots" or "sufferin' succotash" for a full two years. He wouldn't draw accusations of "John Cena clone" despite comprehensively wrestling better matches opposite Braun Strowman in 2017 than Cena managed in their formulaic-in-the-extreme September 11 RAW clash.

On a subjective level, Reigns could not be denied on May 22, 2016 - irrespective of his Phenomenal opponent. This was no carry-job; Reigns carried himself like a proper WWE Heavyweight Champion on the night, brushing Styles off with a back elbow dripping in swagger. Everything he did, he timed brilliantly, manipulating the crowd into a frenzy the likes of which should - but still don't - audibly confirm his ability to work a crowd. In a similar vein, Reigns also deftly countered accusations of a repetitive repertoire by vaulting the ring steps to flatten Styles with the Spear. Every wrestler gets the same old sh*t in. The trick is timing that sh*t to perfection, modifying it, and creating new contexts in which to get fans, who have seen it all before, to react to it.

An electric battle of strength and endurance versus skill and cunning, Reigns Vs. Styles changed the mind of one fan, at least.