WWE Payback 2016: Every Match Ranked From Worst To Best
2. World Heavyweight Title: Roman Reigns (c) Vs. AJ Styles
Result: Reigns retains the title after drilling Styles with the Spear (23:10).
Rating: It was hard to be too excited about this main event considering the end result was so obvious and it gave AJ his second consecutive PPV loss. That said, it was for the most part surprisingly enjoyable, as Styles and Reigns work well together, and the match technically gave Styles two victories over Reigns in a single night.
The match being restarted not once but twice was a fairly predictable spot after it happened the first time, reminiscent of HBK-Vader at SummerSlam 1996, but at least it cushioned the blow of AJ ultimately losing.
Many have argued that the match was overbooked with too many spots detracting from the athleticism, and in fairness it certainly didn't need Anderson, Gallows and the Usos, but the variety on display ensured it ended up being more than a bland LOLROMANWINS main event.
It's just a shame a rematch has already been booked for Extreme Rules, so AJ can lose his third PPV match in a row. 7/10