8 Ups & 10 Downs From Last Night's WWE Raw (Apr 22)

3. AJ Styles Vs. Seth Rollins

Seth Rollins AJ Styles
WWE.com

While it's somewhat surprising that WWE have shot their wad on AJ Styles vs. Seth Rollins so soon after 'The Phenomenal One's' move to Monday Night Raw, this booking continues the fan-pleasing themes established at WrestleMania 35.

Yes, the promo battles will be dryer than Saharan sand, but for "let the wrestlers wrestle" types, this is the WWE dream match. Rollins is a popular Universal Champion, while Styles is considered WWE's modern in-ring standard-bearer. Even if the booking conspires to get in the way of the wrestling, it's hard to imagine them delivering a series as disappointing as AJ's with Shinsuke Nakamura. Their pairing will get people excited, the work will pop the crowd, and everyone should go home happy.

The most important part of this Money In The Bank bout is that we haven't already seen it a dozen times before. Rollins and Styles have never wrestled a singles match. Ever. They've spent the past three years on separate brands, so this is fresh, new, and exciting. Let's hope fans still feel the same way by the time this storyline concludes, and that Seth is as strong a Styles opponent as his buddy Roman Reigns was in 2016.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.