#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!
