7 Times WWE Could Have Turned Roman Reigns Heel
2. Extreme Rules 2016 Vs. AJ Styles
Coming off his WWE World Heavyweight Championship victory at WrestleMania 32, Roman Reigns was despised more than ever by a majority of the WWE Universe. It was obvious the audience would side with whoever his opponent was, so WWE was wise in pairing him up with AJ Styles in his next program.
Reigns was the hated babyface champions, The Usos were booed because of their association with him, and Styles was the quintessential babyface teaming with two heels in Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. It was a different dynamic for sure, but an exciting one. Styles was upfront with his former Bullet Club stablemates telling them he didn't need their help, planting the seeds for The Club's eventual dissolution.
Finn Bálor had always been a strong candidate to be the mystery leader of Gallows and Anderson, but Reigns would have been a better fit. Again, he was already the de facto top heel, so why not begin to embrace the boos by having Styles' longtime friends turn on him in favor of The Big Dog?
Their match at Extreme Rules was nothing short of stellar, but Reigns not turning heel (in addition to beating Styles clean) was a flat way of going off the show.