Rating the matchups for WWE Live’s event at Colonial Life Arena

As Britney Spears once famously sang, “There’s only two types of people in the world / The ones that entertain, and the ones that observe.”

And when it comes to World Wrestling Entertainment, every wrestler is an entertainer and every fan is thoroughly entertained. Sure, some say wrestling is staged, but that song has been sung more than the national anthem. If someone is a WWE fan, there is no changing their mind. They follow the sport like any fan would, hedging their bets on which guy or girl will walk (or limp) away victorious.

For Sunday’s event at Colonial Life Arena, there are several heavy matchups. Who will win is anyone’s guess – and that is why we’re going to throw our hat in the ring to try to pick a few. Let’s break down the title card and see if our choices are as strong as John Cena doing dead lifts.

AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho

Allen Jones aka “AJ Styles” has had a varied but steady wrestling career. The Anderson University grad is a 12-year vet from Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship title three times and the TNA World Heavyweight Championship twice. Jericho, credited as the undisputed WWF champion, also has had a long run with wrestling. He has won 31 championships between WWE, WCW and ECW, all the while staying true to his “over-the-top, rock-star persona, dubbed “The Ayatollah of Rock ’n’ Rolla.” Both men are equally skilled in the ring, but Jericho has about a decade of age (and scar tissue) on Styles.

For the win: “The Phenomenal One” AJ Styles

Intercontinental Champion The Miz with Maryse vs. Cesaro

You may know Mike “The Miz” Mizanin as a cast member on the 2001 season of MTV’s “The Real World,” but that was just the platform he needed to catapult himself into WWE success. After training and wrestling independently, he was signed to a wrestling contract in 2006. In total, he has won 14 championships in WWE and is in his fifth reign as the WWE Intercontinental champ. Cesaro, short for Antonio Cesaro, is an accomplished tag-team wrestler. The Swiss-born athlete is known for his work in Ring of Honor and various independent promotions. Both are accomplished wrestlers, but it would seem “The Miz” has a slight advantage over Cesaro: his wife, two-time wrestling Divas Champion Maryse Ouellet. With her in his corner and with Cesaro without a partner, this match could be over faster than The Miz can say his catchphrase: “Because I’m the Miz and I’m awesome.”

For the win: The Miz

World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns vs. ‘The Celtic Warrior’ Sheamus

It hasn’t been that long since Reigns picked up his third “reign,” when he defeated Triple H at WrestleMania 32 last month. Now, the former NFL player and “despised wrestler” is looking to go up against Sheamus, also a former three-time WWE champ, among many other accolades under his seasoned wrestling belt. Sheamus has defeated Reigns before, and presumably, fans want to see that again.

For the win: “Celtic Warrior” Sheamus

THE VIBE: Every stereotype tied to WWE fans will be in full effect come match night. The parking lot will be overrun with tricked-out F-150s, some still filthy from back-road muddin’. Anticipate lots of cut-off sleeves; bandanas; American flags worn, carried and tattooed; combat boots, beer and an excited crowd looking forward to seeing death-defying leaps, vein-popping pins and – if they’re lucky – someone getting smacked in the face with a metal folding chair.

THE VERDICT: It’s quite simple, really – you’re either in or you’re out. There will be no twisting of your arm or wrestling you to the ground until you concede; that’s reserved for the wrestlers. An event like this draws enough fans that WWE naysayers can keep their distance and let the true believers revel in their equivalent to a playoff game. Say what you want about the matches: The fan frenzy that makes this entertainment thrive is as real as it gets.

If you go

WWE Live

WHEN: 7 p.m. Sunday, May 15

WHERE: Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St.

COST: $18-$103; purchase at www.ticketmaster.com/WWE-Live-tickets/artist/1848807?tm_link=edp_Artist_Name

DETAILS: www.coloniallifearena.com

This story was originally published May 11, 2016 at 10:41 AM with the headline "Rating the matchups for WWE Live’s event at Colonial Life Arena."