Credit: WWE.com
Five days before the end of the Match of the Year candidate who saw Roman Reigns narrowly retain his Universal Championship against Kevin Owens at TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs, The Head of the Table again defended against The Fighter in a steel cage .
Owens took down Reigns with a DDT and continued to put the champion on the defensive with a cannonball in the corner, while Paul Heyman showed real concern for the first time. Reigns turned the tide, countering an attempted pop-up powerbomb with a leg drop to a near fall.
Owens recovered and gave a splash of frog for two going into the break.
Returning from the time limit, Owens successfully executed the powerbomb, but scored another near fall when Reigns managed to hit his shoulder off the mat at both ends. He defended himself from a flood of The Tribal Chief and handed over a fisherman to two more.
Reigns blocked a stunner and shook his opponent with a Superman Punch. Building momentum for the first time in the match, Reigns chased Owens and applied the guillotine to the ropes. Defensive, Owens knocked The Chieftain down the throat by the upper rope.
Reigns looked for the stunner, but Owens caught him and knocked him down with a stunner. Reigns kicked them both out, leaving the challenger wondering what he had to do to win the title.
After another pause, Reigns raised his knees, throwing them on the challenger’s back during a Swanton bomb attempt. Reigns followed with a spear, but failed to keep Owens on the ground. A look of disbelief and doubt painted the champion’s face as he gestured for the door to be opened. The face of a resilient baby grabbed his leg. The distraction allowed Owens to reach out, grab the cage door and throw it in Reigns’s face.
Owens was just inches away from winning the title, but he stopped momentarily to get rid of Jey Uso. Reigns slowed down and punched Superman again. Owens responded with a second stunner. Handcuffed Owens in the cage, proving to be essential for the champion’s chances of retention.
Reigns came out of the cage, taunting his opponent along the way, before reaching the ground for victory.
Result
Reigns defeated Owens to retain his title
Degree
AN
Analyze
That Reigns and Owens fought for that quality of play 24-48 hours after their classic TLC was a Christmas miracle.
This was another dramatic business move that left the audience thinking, despite all preconceived notions, Owens can take the win. The bumps were great, the near falls were fantastic and the finish allowed Owens to maintain credibility while establishing Reigns as a relentless and relentless heel champion, but most importantly, ingenious.
Usage continues to rescue his cousin, preparing the table for some babyface to appear and neutralizing him in an attempt to uproot the Universal Reigns Championship.