AJ Styles has really, really wanted to get this whole United States Open Challenge thing going. It’s part of inheriting the “Face That Runs The Place” moniker from John Cena, I guess.
Finally free of his long-feud with Kevin Owens, he tried to get it started a few weeks ago. But Baron Corbin interjected himself to ensure the first man to answer the call, Tye Dillinger, wasn’t 100% or undistracted when he made it to the ring. So after The Perfect Ten tried (and failed) to even the score with Corbin, Styles waved the “open” part and booked Tye for a match on Sept. 12’s loaded Sin City SmackDown.
The popular journeyman Dillinger was looking to make the most of the opportunity, and was in the driver’s seat headed into a break thanks to some creative use of the enviroment:
Can @WWEDillinger make this #USTitle opportunity a #Perfect10 against @AJStylesOrg?! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/GCRcUJrjTP
— WWE (@WWE) September 13, 2017
The Lone Wolf tried to get involved, but AJ made quick work of him. Styles kicked out of a roll-up off that distraction, and later managed to escape at two after Dillinger connected with his Tye-Breaker finisher.
Frustration got the best of The Perfect Ten, and his hesitation gave AJ an opening for a Calf-Crusher. Tye fought valiantly, but was forced to tap.
Then Corbin struck again. Taking out Styles - and Dillinger when he tried to help - the former Mr. Money in the Bank gave AJ some news.
Next week, he’s answering the U.S. title challenge.