Night of Champions kicked off with a bang tonight as former NXT Champion defeated Ryback to become the new Intercontinental Champion.
The action started with a short grapple, then the champ shoving Owens to the ground three times, catching a kick at one point. But Owens, the company’s latest answer to CM Punk, kicked Ryback in the stomach and then started tossing him around the ring for a short while.
And then Ryback lifted him over his head to literally throw him OUT of the ring, gloating and then Flair-chopping him before pushing him back into the ring. The action then spilled outside once again, with Owens mounting some offense before attempting a pinfall. It was at this point that Ryback also appeared to injure his shoulder, launching speculation as to how effectively he could use his signature moves.
What followed was more offense from Owens, with Ryback barely able to defend himself as the former NXT Champion continued to work the injured arm as Ryback mentioned how his elbow was injured.
But then the tide turned after it seemed like it never would. Ryback pried himself loose and bounced off the ropes to shoulder tackle his opponent, mounting plenty of offense of his own as the crowd chanted “FEED ME MORE” before Owens kicked out of a pin attempt. Owens then countered a spinebuster and attempted another move, only to be lifted for another spinebuster. He kicked out of another pin attempt and then kicked the champ in the stomach before attempting a pin, which Ryback kicked out of easily.
Enter a Ryback clothesline followed by a “FINISH! IT!” and a failed Shellshock attempt. He was then rolled up and kicked out, and then again after another pin attempt.
Owens would then put Ryback’s injured arm into an armbar in hopes that the IC champ would tap out, only for Ryback to get up and throw Owens to the ground again. He would then attempt Shellshock, only for the challenger to pull a dirty move in raking his eyes and roll him up for the pinfall victory.
As an Owens fan, this is long overdue for the Canadian. He should have won his first WWE title at Battleground, when he fought John Cena for the United States Championship, and having him tap out there looked like his momentum was dead.
But Kevin Owens is now as over as he can be as a heel, and he can only go higher. When the rematch happens remains to be seen, but count on Ryback to invoke his rematch clause at his first opportunity.
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