Match Three: Roman vs AJ

Once he parked his car in the parking lot of the Petersen Events Center, AJ got out and closed the door behind him. Going to the back of his rental, he opened the trunk, he got his bags out before looking up at the arena and realizing he was finally in AEW for tonight’s first show in the history of the company. AJ never thought he would find himself wrestling in another ring after he walked away from WWE when his contract expired, but here he is. As AJ made his way inside the arena, he walks down the hall but as he turns the corner AJ bumps into someone.


AJ Styles: Oh, I am sorry, my bad…. wait a minute…. Fergal?


The man AJ bumped into was none other than Fergal Devitt, better know as Finn Balor from WWE who smirked a bit.


Finn Balor: Long time no see mate, if it wasn’t you, I would have destroyed the poor bloke for bumping into me, but it’s you so you’re good.


AJ Styles: Glad to know that, so you’re here in AEW now? I thought you would be a WWE lifer at the same time.


Finn Balor shook his head and put his hands in his pockets.


Finn Balor: Nah AJ, no offense to Hunter and the WWE but it was time for me to leave the company and go somewhere else I can showcase my talents to the extreme as a legend once said. What about you?

AJ nodded and shrugged his shoulders.


AJ Styles: I don’t know, I mean a part of me thought about hanging it up for good once my contract was up and retire, but in the back of my mind, something told me not to do it since there is more to achieve. Look where I am at now though, in All Elite Wrestling…this feels…different if you ask me.


Finn Balor: There’s a different feel to it, that’s for sure and not the same old crap we’ve experienced before in the WWE. I take it you’re in a match tonight?


AJ Styles grinned.


AJ Styles: Of course I do, it’s better than competing in an open battle royal against other people on the main roster. I prefer to have my first match be a one on one and tonight…I got Roman Reigns.


Finn looked surprised when AJ mentioned his opponent.


Finn Balor: You got Roman Reigns? Lucky man, I got the open battle royal for the pre shower but it’s better than nothing else. Both of us have our hands full when were up against different opponents so it won’t be easy.


AJ Styles: Nah, it won’t be easy man, but I love it when I have a challenge right in front of me. Better yet a fraud in tribal chief, who still hasn’t learned a damn thing since his last go around in WWE ended in a blunder. We know what it’s like going up against that man, so he’s not going to make it easier for me.


Finn Balor: Look on the bright side though AJ, at least there’s no Bloodline on Roman’s side anymore in AEW…well…for the time being that is. Knowing him, he’s going to get desperate and probably drag someone else other than Jey, Jimmy, and Solo to do his dirty work. Don’t take your eyes off Roman, the man’s a killer.

AJ chuckled and shook his head.


AJ Styles: Don’t worry man, I got this. Besides, I faced a lot of killers in the ring, but they didn’t talk so much like Roman does more than he backs up.


Finn Balor: You’re not kidding, but since I got The Phenomenal One with me now…I wanted to offer you something.


AJ arched his eyebrows.


AJ Styles: Offer me something? What would that be?


Finn Balor: Remember what happened back in New Japan Pro Wresting when you and I were a part of it at different points of out careers before we ultimately ended up in WWE?


AJ Styles: Yes, I do, those were some great times we’ve had. The Bullet Club gave me the chance to most of all be a leader but then stand out, showing why AJ Styles can do it anywhere else even if it’s now TNA or even the WWE.


Finn Balor: How would you feel about bringing the band back together?


AJ Styles: The band back together?


Finn then puts up the ‘Too Sweet’ sign and smirked.


Finn Balor: You know what I am talking AJ, it’s time to bring this back.


AJ chuckled and put his hands up.


AJ Styles: Look man, I just got here to AEW and it’s way too soon for me to be a part of the gang wars here in the company. Going solo is the right move to make.


Finn Balor: Come on AJ, don’t you miss the good ole’ days? Would you rather be by yourself or come back to the family.


AJ Styles: Like I said Finn, I rather be the lone wolf on this one…but I tell you want, let me think about it and I will get back to you.


Finn Balor: Alright then mate but don’t take too long. There’s a lot of opportunity when it comes to AEW and what we can accomplish together. We’ve done it before and we can do it again in this company, it would be a new era for the two of us.


AJ Styles: Okay, but like I told you already, I will think about it and get back to you. Right now, though I got to check in and get ready.


Finn Balor: Of course, but you should check out the press conference going on right now outside the arena. Your opponent’s running his mouth already, good luck tonight though.


Patting AJ on the back, Finn leaves with AJ watching him walk away. But out of the corner of his eye was the press conference and there he was, Roman Reigns.

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Behind the scenes at the press conference for AEW Dynamite and the huge announcement by Tony Khan, which was Roman Reigns coming to the company, someone was watching on screen. Who would that be you ask? It would be none other than The Phenomenal One himself in AJ Styles, with his arms crossed and watching it all play out on screen. Shaking his head, AJ had a feeling Roman would get cocky and full of himself but what do you really expect from Roman Reigns? As much as AJ was looking forward to this match, he felt like he needed to make his presence felt. Watching Roman finish what he was saying, AJ made a bee line to the right stage and before you know it…this was heard.




GET READY TO FLY…. I AM I AM…I AM I AM…. OHH… GET READY TO FLY…


The sound of AJ Styles music hits the PA as the fan’s excitement was filled with cheers including enthusiasm all at the same time. The fans, journalists, and others were looking around to see where AJ was coming from. Roman and Paul were taken off guard from the sound of AJ’s theme song playing in the background. It didn’t take that much longer though for AJ to appear on the right side of the stage as he removes his hood and walks up the steps keeping his eyes on the two men. Slowly approaching them, AJ takes the mic Roman dropped and moves it toward his mouth.


AJ Styles: Well…well…well…we meet again, don’t we Roman?


AJ asked, lowering the microphone and looking around while Roman had his hands in his pockets, just standing looking unbothered by The Phenomenal One and Paul Heyman smirking.


AJ Styles: I just couldn’t help by stand by back there and listen to all of the so called excitement, but I am not just talking about you Roman but the big announcement that the two of us are going to square off in the middle of the ring. Honestly though, I am glad that we’re having a match on the first Dynamite for AEW because honestly…someone needs to smack the taste out of your mouth Roman.


AJ kept his focus on Roman, who’s a little bit surprised but kind of laughed shaking his head. The crowd was giving mixed reactions from what The Phenomenal One was saying so far.


AJ Styles: Now don’t get me wrong Roman, I completely respect everything you’ve done in your career. A man like yourself proved doubters wrong who thought you weren’t going to succeed and look at you now Roman, you ARE a household name. But do you want to know what happened along the way man? The Tribal Chief got too cocky, the humbleness went away and while Reigns over here had enough and formed a group that was once dominant…Roman’s ego got in the way. Look at you now…all alone…with Paul Heyman that is.


AJ shrugged his shoulders before he continued.


AJ Styles: But let’s face it Roman, you are your OWN worst enemy by allowing the power, the thirst for greed to take over and in the end The Tribal Chief has no one by his side which is perfect. Now you’re in AEW where things are different. This is NOT your show, this is NOT your crowd, those are not your hype men over there for commentary, this is not YOUR AEW Roman. Why? Because for five, to ten, to ten plus years before I hang up my boots for good…All Elite Wrestling will be known, not Roman Reigns company…but the house…THAT AJ STYLES BUILT!


Narrowing his eyes at Roman, AJ wasn’t playing around anymore when it comes to AEW and facing Reigns later tonight.


AJ Styles: You’ve had for years in the WWE by taking over the spotlight from those who deserved it the most, but this is AEW and it’s a whole new different ball game. I’ve had success in WWE but as time went on, I realized that the days of wrestling in this industry were coming to an end. I wanted to go out with a bang and retire once my contract was up in the WWE, but the more I thought about it when Tony Khan offered me a contract in AEW, those who joined AEW including yourself…the possibilities were endless when it came to matches. So, I decided in the end, why NOT come to the next best thing which is All Elite Wrestling for one more run.


AJ nodded and looked around in approval before returning his attention back to The Head Of The Table in Roman Reigns.


AJ Styles: But I am glad were here and I am glad the two of us are going to square off in the middle of the ring tonight. You may think you need this to continue that so called dominance of yours, but I the end I need this more than you do. Why? To show the rest of the world who doesn’t know who I am, you see Roman, unlike you I have been across the world competing in front of international crowds, company to company winning title after title. Heck, I am more of a decorated athlete than you are, while you had a failed football career. None of that matters, what matters is beating you tonight in our match and proving once again why AJ Styles is simply PHENOMENAL…thanks to the man who makes AEW….THE HOUSE HE BUILTED!


AJ drops the mic in front of Roman who remained still stoic and unfazed by AJ’s words but twitched his eyes, strengthening his jaw. The two men started to stare each other down with one of them didn’t back down from one another. Paul pats Roman on the shoulder and motions for him as the they leave the press conference, AJ doesn’t keep his eyes off them. If the match between AJ and Roman didn’t excite enough people after what just happened now, then good shit.