The following is from our play-by-play coverage of the WWE Royal Rumble PPV event in Phoenix, Arizona at Chase Field on the WWE Network:
WWE Champion Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles
They started out in a technical way and Bryan worked over the left arm of Styles. They started this match off slow as Bryan shoved him into the ring post in order to continue the damage of the shoulder. The crowd was pretty dead as Bryan continued the assault towards the challenger. They traded right hands until Styles hit him with a drop kick. But Bryan caught him off with a dragon suplex. Styles was bleeding from his nose. Bryan kicked him in the face that sent him crashing to the floor.
Styles reversed an irish whip and hit a reverse DDT to Bryan. Styles went for a 450 splash but Bryan put up his knees and locked in the Lebell Lock but had to let go and allowed Styles to lock in the Calf Crusher but Bryan got to the ropes. Bryan managed to fight back and landed a series of kicks to the chest of the challenger. They trade pin attempts then Styles hit a brain buster for 2. Styles with a series of kicks and went for a spring board forearm shot but his leg gave out. This allowed Bryan to connect with a kick to the chest of the champion.
Styles knocked him down. Erick Rowan walked down to the ring and stared at them from ringside. Bryan accidentally kicked the referee in the face and Styles hit the Styles Clash to Bryan. Rowan connected with a chokeslam to Styles that allowed Bryan to pin him for the win.
Winner: WWE Champion Daniel Bryan
