'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgf/2gAIAQEAAAAAiDP/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAECEAAAACf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAF/9oACAEDEAAAAEf/xAAiEAACAgEDBAMAAAAAAAAAAAACBAEDBQAGEQcSFSIzYnH/2gAIAQEAAT8A3K7hgyOCrxu316ZoRJdmJP57Zgh75+wz7c/mkeiq7SS99u7UQstrEyHx9pca/8QAGBEAAwEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDABL/2gAIAQIBAT8Au7TA53//xAAYEQACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACBAADEv/aAAgBAwEBPwBOkWCLc//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What's the story?
Roman Reigns is shaping up to be a pretty powerful WWE Intercontinental Champion so far. He is certainly a fighting champion because GulfNews.com confirmed that The Big Dog will be putting his IC Title on the line against Triple H on Friday night at a house show in Abu Dhabi. Needless to say, everyone is excited about this encounter and both Triple H and Roman Reigns have already spoke about their upcoming confrontation.
In case you didn't know...
Roman Reigns has taken on Triple H before. They've tangled a couple times and even headlined WrestleMania in Dallas Texas where The Big Dog toppled The Game. But there's something special about Roman Reigns this time around and since he's had a couple years to mature not only as a character but as a pro wrestler in general, he seems to be on the way for some great things.
The heart of the matter
This match in Abu Dhabi will be pretty important on a couple levels and both Triple H and Roman Reigns realise this fact. Now they're a the point in their careers where the roles backstage are similar but they've achieved so much in such a short amount of time in different aspects of the business.
Triple H working against Reigns this time around is interesting how he just worked alongside him when Triple H joined The Shield for the last European shows. But it is sure to bring a big match feel to the contest.
Roman Reigns told GulfNews.com that he was eager for this match to take place and how this encounter illustrates his intention as WWE Intercontinental Champion.
"I'm super excited. Going against Triple H, I think that speaks for itself. I'm always down to defend my yard... It's not just a regular match, it's for my Intercontinental title. I'm looking forward to put it up on the line... that's the type of champion I want to be."
This is a rematch from the Shows Of Shows two years ago and people will see it as a testament to what both parties have learned about each other. Triple H spoke about the encounter in veteran precision where he praised his opponent and can't wait to see what will happen in Abu Dhabi.
"I bring a different intensity that my era brought to the ring. This is kind of a rematch from WrestleMania 32... and Roman is probably one of the most intense competitors in the WWE right now so I look forward to stepping in the ring with him. He calls himself the 'Big Dog', I call myself 'The Game'... So, we'll see."
What's next?
Triple H hasn't been in the Intercontinental Title picture for quite some time now. His last chance to claim the title was in May 2006 when he competed in a 3-on-2 Texas Tornado Handicap Match on a team with Chris Masters and Shelton Benjamin against WWE Champion John Cena and IC Champion Rob Van Dam. So who knows what other places in his career Triple H might revisit next?
But one thing is for sure Roman Reigns is going to give The Game a run for his money on Friday because he definitely plans on leaving Abu Dhabi as Intercontinental Champion.
Author's take
This is one of the many reasons why special house shows like this should be on the WWE Network. I would love to see this match and have it available anytime on demand. In fact, the entire card is liable to be stellar as well while they work in front of a market they seldom see in person.
