A look at the WWE Fastlane match between Kevin Owens and Dolph Ziggler for the Intercontinental Championship.
On the Feb. 15 episode of WWE Raw, Kevin Owens won the Intercontinental Championship in a Fatal 5-Way match. He would pin Tyler Breeze and not Dean Ambrose, who was the holder of the belt. This marked KO’s second reign with the title.
Before this, Dolph Ziggler had been going head to head with the former NXT Champion on multiple occasions. The Showoff won the past few matches, so he challenged for a shot at the IC title at Fastlane. Owens was reluctant, but the match was made.
Owens started with a quick headbutt on Ziggler to open this Fastlane match.
That brutal headbutt by @FightOwensFight has @HEELZiggler dazed early on... #WWEFastlane #ICTitle pic.twitter.com/JJEndECkPS
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 22, 2016
KO then taunted Ziggler in his usual hilarious fashion. It’s hard not to like this guy’s antics.
"Your hometown likes me more than you!" - @FightOwensFight to @HEELZiggler #WWEFastlane #ICTitle pic.twitter.com/7dr4Qt3Kx5
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 22, 2016
This move into the turnbuckle looked like it had to of hurt. The referee would check on Ziggler for an injured shoulder.
That might has well have been a MAC TRUCK @HEELZiggler just ran into! #WWEFastlane #ICTitle @FightOwensFight pic.twitter.com/Wdlj4BCoOd
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 22, 2016
Full video of this sequence can be seen below.
.@HEELZiggler crashes HARD into the turnbuckle at the hands of @FightOwensFight! #ICTitle #WWEFastlane https://t.co/Y4xi2OMi9V
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2016
Owens would go for a senton on Ziggler’s back and hit it. He would get a near-fall but man has the former Spirit Squad member taken a beating in this bout.
ONE-TWO-NOOOOOO! @HEELZiggler kicks out after a senton to the SPINE by @FightOwensFight... #WWEFastlane #ICTitle pic.twitter.com/tNuV6rQ14m
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 22, 2016
The assault continued with the chin lock.
The #ShowOff @HEELZiggler continues to struggle to get the best of @FightOwensFight... #WWEFastlane #ICTitle pic.twitter.com/1iSo3SesDQ
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 22, 2016
Ziggler would try getting in some offense and did his best Eva Marie with the air guitar. He would drop a few elbows on the IC Champion.
The house is ROCKIN' for @HEELZiggler! Can he capture the #ICTitle in Cleveland?! #WWEFastlane pic.twitter.com/rG9odey4zV
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2016
Owens would hit his trademark cannonball on Ziggler in the corner.
CANNONBALL connects! Is the end near for @HEELZiggler? #WWEFastlane #ICTitle @FightOwensFight pic.twitter.com/93BPj1llir
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 22, 2016
Ziggler would hit a huge superkick at ringside to even the odds. They eventually got back in the ring.
Both men are down and out in this WAR for the #ICTitle! #WWEFastlane @HEELZiggler @FightOwensFight pic.twitter.com/AsXC3gKm23
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 22, 2016
Superkick City, eh? Ziggler hit yet another superkick after Owens hit one on him.
It looks as if @HEELZiggler and @FightOwensFight have found their way to #SuperkickCity! #WWEFastlane #ICTitle pic.twitter.com/SE972z6DQX
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 22, 2016
Take a look at this beautiful reversal of a powerbomb by Ziggler. It sent Owens into the steel steps.
The #ShowOff @HEELZiggler was THIS CLOSE to getting sent crashing into that ring apron! #WWEFastlane #ICTitle pic.twitter.com/6IjNTbzE9V
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2016
Owens would win the match with a superkick and Pop-Up Powerbomb following Ziggler getting in the way of the referee.
He's all smiles after RETAINING the #ICTitle! #WWEFastlane @FightOwensFight pic.twitter.com/jeGzXKLN8E
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2016
Owens retaining the title shouldn’t come as a surprise since he just won it six days ago. He will probably walk into WrestleMania 32 as the champion.