#1: Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens – Undisputed WWE Universal Championship (Royal Rumble 2023)
This match had everything in one for the main event that wasn’t the Royal Rumble Match. There was a combination of storytelling and intensity between Reigns and Owens. Fans being on their feet for Sami Zayn was what helped make the match interesting.
Zayn was in a dilemma whether he should help Reigns retain his championship or not. Owens gave everything he had, but it wasn’t enough to dethrone “The Tribal Chief”. Reigns defeated Owens, but it just wasn’t enough.
The post-match brought out something greater to close that year’s Royal Rumble event. The Usos and Solo Sikoa were beating down Owens until it came down to Zayn getting a pick of the litter. Reigns tested Zayn’s loyalty by demanding that Zayn hit his long-time friend with a steel chair. Reigns’ verbal, physical abuse, and manipulation took a toll on Zayn, to the point where he nailed Reigns with a chair instead.
This led to such a loud fan reaction upon witnessing Zayn finally coming to his senses. Although Zayn felt justified in his actions, he suffered a beatdown from Jimmy Uso, Sikoa, and Reigns as well. The whole Bloodline storyline escalated as Jey Uso was growing a bond with Zayn. The brutal beatdown had Jey walking away hurt and distraught. The post-match was also the planting of the seeds for an Owens and Zayn reunion.
Do you believe that there will be more championship matches closing the Royal Rumble event? Leave your comments below.
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