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The Maestro of Mayhem looks to weaken the WWE Champion for Rusev at WWE Extreme Rules.

WWE Champion AJ Styles arrived on SmackDown LIVE ready to declare why he would defeat Rusev to retain his title at WWE Extreme Rules (aka Rusev Day), but The Phenomenal One was quickly interrupted by The Bulgarian Brute and Aiden English. Rusev let Styles know that he’s never faced anyone quite like The Super Athlete before promising to defeat him soundly at WWE Extreme Rules and move into “the house that AJ Styles built” as champion. Styles’ ensuing contest against English saw The Mozart of Mayhem try to get revenge after AJ dropped him several weeks ago, and English took advantage of a distraction from The Super Athlete right as the bell rang. That wouldn’t be enough, though, as Styles defeated English with the Calf Crusher for the tapout win. 

However, The Phenomenal One would have no time to celebrate, as Styles was then met by an unexpected Machka Kick from Rusev, who locked the champion in the Accolade. Statement made.