WWE’s live event in Regensberg, Germany was filled with high-octane action and interesting matchups. In the main event, Kevin Owens defended his WWE Universal Championship against Roman Reigns in a No-Holds-Barred match, beating the Big Dog and retaining his strap. However, before entering his title matchup, Owens attacked his former friend Chris Jericho who’d come out on crutches wearing a neck-brace.
Blindsiding Jericho from behind, Owens’ vicious attack had to be stopped by referees who were quick to stop the champ from inflicting further damage on his friend-turned-foe. Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho formed an alliance around mid-2016 after Jericho helped the young prodigy win the WWE Universal championship that Owens still holds. ‘Y2J’ himself is presently the WWE United States champion.
Here are the highlights for all the matches and the attack on Jericho at WWE’s live event in Regensberg, Germany:
#1. Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. Jinder Mahal and Rusev
A fun filled match to start off the show ended with the popular babyface team coming out on top against Mahal and Rusev,
Result: Enzo Amore and Rusev sed. Mahal Rusev
#2. Curtis Axel, Sin Cara, and The Golden Truth vs. Bo Dallas, Titus O’Neil, and The Shining Stars
The lower mid-card match ended in predictable fashion as the faces picked up the win. Golden Truth and Sin Cara got favourable reactiosn from the fans in attendance. After the match, The Big Show came out and delivered the KO punch to Titus O’Niel.
Result: Curtis Axel, Sin Cara, and The Golden Truth defeated Bo Dallas, Titus O’Neil, and The Shining Stars
#3. Neville vs. Rich Swann (WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match)
In what was a back-and-forth matchup between Neville and Swann, the Cruiserweight champ retained his title, sending a statement to the rest of the division. In one of the best technical matchups of the evening, Neville ended up outworking his opponent, with both wrestlers showing amazing ring-craft and co-ordination.
Neville defeated Rich Swann retaining the WWE Cruiserweight title.
#4. Nia Jax vs. Sasha Banks
Sasha Banks’ misery continued as she was dominated by Nia Jax at the house show. However, The Boss was quite over with the fans and it helped in getting Jax over as a monster heel.
Result: Nia Jax def. Sasha Banks
#5. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (C) vs. Cesaro & Sheamus vs. The New Day (WWE Raw Tag Team Championship Triple Threat Match)
The European connection was strong in this one as the German crowd showed undying support for two of WWE’s biggest Euro wrestlers, namely Cesaro and Sheamus. The matchup was decent and the post-fight dance involving the aforementioned European Superstars and The New Day was a good comic relief especially since the event’s biggest talking point would go on to be Kevin Owens’ brutal attack on Chris Jericho.
Regardless, Gallows and Anderson did their thing, beating The New Day as well as Cesaro and Sheamus.
Rare scene, twerking @WWESheamus @WWE @WWECesaro @XavierWoodsPhD @TrueKofi #newdayrocks #WWEHannover pic.twitter.com/xO0AcuviED
— Anuj (@anujbecks) February 25, 2017
Result: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson defeated Cesaro and Sheamus and The New Day; retaining the RAW tag-team titles.
#6. Bayley (C) vs. Charlotte (WWE Raw Women’s Championship Match)
Charlotte does know how to draw the heat. After all, she’s a ‘Flair’. Now although Bayley put on a good performance on her part, it was the heel who stole the show. Charlotte Flair has proved time-and-again she’s one of the best athletes in the company and her performance against Bayley (although she lost), serves as yet another reminder of Ms Flair’s in-ring excellence.
Queen charlotte #wwe #WWEHannover #Charlotte #woooo pic.twitter.com/hfUprFgcWA
— Lukas Niemann (@Luke94xx) February 25, 2017
Result: Bayley defeated Charlotte Flair; retaining the RAW Women’s Title
#7. Braun Strowman vs. Sami Zayn
‘The Monster Among Men’ demolished Zayn in the tried and tested encounter. However, ‘The Underdog From The Underground’, who got some good pops from the fans in attendance, put up a fight before going down.
Reuslt: Braun Strowman def. Sami Zayn
#8. Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns (WWE Universal Championship No Holds Barred Match)
Around the Jax-Banks matchup, Y2J came out using crutches, wearing a neck-brace, playing up the injury angle (kayfabe) to the German crowd. That’s when he was attacked him from behind by Owens, who proceeded to attack him with his crutches and ripped off his neck-brace. The WWE Universal champ finished off with his signature pop-up powerbomb move, prompting WWE referees to rush into the ring, to tend to Jericho.
Nevertheless, Owens entered his main-event matchup unfazed, proceeding to work an excellent bout against The Big Dog. It’s essential to note that despite all the criticism directed towards WWE Creative regarding the excessive main-event push they afford to Roman Reigns, he has in fact shown marked improvements in his ring-work and mic-skills over the past year and a half.
Besides, with Strowman’s interference enabling Owens to steal the victory, Reigns immediately avenged the monstrous ex-Wyatt’s misdeed, by hitting him with a thunderous spear through a table.
Roman powerbombing Owens at #WWEHannover from dario_ink_95 on Instagram pic.twitter.com/HmazW6J9Kc
— AmbReigns Fans (@AmbReignsFans) February 25, 2017
Another video from Roman spearing Strowman through a table at #WWEHannover from ankamita on Instagram pic.twitter.com/f1CEi92MYy
— AmbReigns Fans (@AmbReignsFans) February 25, 2017
Result: Kevin Owens defeated Roman Reigns; retaining the WWE Universal title. (Owens retained the title owing to Strowman’s interference in the matchup).
Owens is all set to defend his Universal championship against Goldberg at WWE Fastlane on the 5th of March. Meanwhile, Jericho’s ongoing feud with his former ally serves to add an interesting angle to Owens’ Fastlane matchup as we move forward on the Road to Wrestlemania.
Owens is one of the best, if not the best professional wrestlers to compete inside the squared-circle in recent history. Whether it’s ring-craft or mic-skills, he owns the place like no other superstar in the WWE can as of today. After absolutely dominating Goldberg in their little social media back-and-forth, he moves into Fastlane with all the momentum on his side.
Whether that makes a difference against this older but just as formidable version of Goldberg, remains to be seen. And by the way, stop beating up Y2J Kevin Owens, or else you’re on the List!
Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE
