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The Miz came out and cut a promo putting over Ohio as his people, then said, these were the people he left. He said if you don't live in NYC or Los Angeles, you don't count. He complained that had it not been for Big Show, he would be Intercontinental champion because in Hollywood, David always slays Goliath. He said he's here to be an artist and would be commentating.
WWE Intercontinental champion Ryback vs. Big Show
They noted Miz would be hosting a Tough Enough post-game show called "Tough Talk" on the WWE Network.
Ryback's power overpowered Show early and even shoved him over the top to the floor. Ryback followed him and ended up grabbing Miz and tossing him into the ring apron and over the announcer's table. Show nailed Ryback as he returned to the ring and slammed him.
Ryback fired back with several right hands but Show shoulderblocked him down. Ryback kicked Show as he charged into the corner. Ryback pulled out a cross armbreaker, to the shock of everyone who ever executed that move ever. Show had to fight to the ropes and made it, breaking the hold. Ryback nailed several right hands and went for a suplex, nailing it and hitting a big splash for a two count. If the plan was to show what a strong guy Ryback is, they are doing a bang-up job.
Show caught Ryback out of nowhere with a chokeslam but the champion kicked up. Show sent Ryback to the outside. Miz tried to go after Ryback but Show stopped him and tossed Ryback back into the ring. Show tossed Ryback back into the ring but Miz attacked him from behind, causing a DQ.
Your winner by DQ, The Big Show!
Solid match for what it was, but way too short and the finish, while setting up the obvious three-ways, was pretty lame.
WWE United States champion John Cena vs. WWE NXT champion Kevin Owens
Very sizable pro-Owens fans in the crowd. The crowd booed Cena and cheered Owens as they showed off their titles. Cena shoulder tackled Owens early. Cena nailed a second but Owens popped right up and got in Cena's face. The fans chanted for NXT.
Owens nailed Cena with a right hand and began battering Cena. They battled back and forth until Cena caught Owens with a clothesline right in the face. Owens came back with a dropkick and a back senton splash for a two count. Owens locked in a rear chinlock but Cena fought his way out and nailed a dropkick. Owens began nailing Cena with all of Cena's own trademark moves. He teased the Five Knuckle Shuffle and nailed it on Cena. He went for the AA but Cena rolled through and locked on an STF. Owens tried to get to the ropes but Cena pulled him back. Owens kicked him off but was caught with a reverse suplex for a two count.
Owens came back with a codebreaker to the face for a two count as Cena was reaching down to pull Owens up. Owens went for the Popup Powerbomb but Cena leapfrogged over him and caught him with the Blue Thunder Bomb. Owens was nailed with the Fiva Knuckle Shuffle. Cena went for the AA but Owens slipped out and nailed a German suplex and a cannonball in the corner.
They continued to go back and forth. Owens went for a swanton but Cena pulled his knees up. Cena picked up Owens for the Electric Chair and slammed him face-first forward on the mat for a two count. Cena went for the AA and nailed it for a two count. Cena got angry it wasn't a three count and argued with the official.
Cena placed Owens on the top rope. He went for a move but Owens slipped out and landed in the ring. He placed Cena on his shoulders and spun Cena around for a sit-out powerbomb for a good near fall. The crowd chanted, "This is awesome." Owens went for the Pop-Up Powerbomb but Cena turned it into a rana. Owens came back with a superkick for a two count.
Owens charged Cena in the corner but was nailed and caught with a tornado DDT for a two count. Cena missed the Alabama Jam. Owens nailed a package piledriver into a sideslam for a two count. The fans did dueling chants for Cena and Owens. Owens went for a moonsault but missed. Cena nailed the AA but Owens kicked up. Cena again questioned the referee, so it appears we may be going for a finish where Cena after all these years, finally loses his cool.
Cena pulled Owens to the corner of the ring. He picked up Owens and placed him on the top. He went for a superplex but Owens reversed it and turned it into a Fisherman's buster for a close two count. The crowd chanted 'This is awesome" and it was. Cenawas out but it was a trick. He locked in an STF. Owens made it to the ropes. Cena again complained to the ref.
Owens went for a move and Cena countered with a sunset flip. They almost lost it and time stood still for a second but they saved it and Cena pulled out The Amazing Red's Code Red finisher, which the crowd went nuts for. Cena only scored a two count and was pissed about it.
Owens nailed the Pop-Up Powerbomb but Cena kicked out. The crowd chanted, "This is awesome" in a way that so raucous, it was just awesome to hear. Just a crowd truly invested in something. Owens kept nailing Cena and telling him to stay down but of course, John wouldn't. Cena nailed the stunner off the ropes and hit the AA, scoring the pin.
Your winner, John Cena.
Incredible match. There's going to be a lot of talk about the finish. I am SURE people hate the fact that Owens lost clean and trust me when I say, I get it. However, he's been put over massive the last few weeks and even in this match, took Cena to the limit in a way no one except CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and Brock Lesnar have been booked to do. Think about that company before you assume Owens is DOA. If they book a good follow-up and a rubber match, I am fine with the finish, although, I wouldn't have done it myself.
After the match, Cena and Owens went face to face. He praised Owens' work and handed him the NXT title belt. Thjey shook hands but Cena apparently never watched Owens' work anywhere, as Owens immediately attacked him and kicked him out of the ring, then powerbombed Cena on the apron. Owens took the United States title with him as he left. Well, it looks like there will be more of this, so I'm fine with the finish.
Backstage, Renee Young said Cena was being looked at by medical staff and they'd provide an update when they can. She brought in Dean Ambrose. He said a year ago, he was screwed by the Authority and Seth Rollins and he had enough and fought back. He said that he knows in his heart and soul that he's the champion. He said if you are a person that believes you have to stand up and do something when you are robbed, you know he's the champion. Taking the belt was about taking respect. He said the belt is up in a ladder match and Rollins will be all alone for the first time.
The announcers discussed the passing of Dusty Rhodes. They aired the same video package on Dusty's career.
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