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LOS ANGELES — Kevin Owens says he is a prizefighter, and after his WWE Hell in a Cell clash with Ryback, one of WWE’s most prestigious prizes — the Intercontinental Championship — remains his.
As soon as the bell ran, Owens made good on his promise to use his wits to his advantage, rolling out of the ring in an attempt to escape The Big Guy. Ryback gave chase, and upon catching the outspoken champion inside the ring, rocked him with a hard knockdown before tossing him overhead. The sly Owens slipped out of a subsequent press slam attempt and dodged a shoulder block in the corner, causing Ryback to slam shoulder-first into the steel ring post.
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Despite the damage done, Ryback found the strength to powerslam his foe. The Big Guy then landed several face-rearranging punches in the corner, but Owens soon escaped danger again and brought all of his weight down upon Ryback’s ribs with a merciless senton splash.
Intent on regaining the Intercontinental Championship that once belonged to him, Ryback bounced back with a vicious spinebuster before thrashing Owens with a powerbomb for a near fall. The bald-headed shredder made a crucial misstep next as he looked to scale the turnbuckles and launch into a top-rope attack. The champion prevented Ryback’s plan from coming to fruition, eventually superkicking the former titleholder off the ring apron.
See photos from the ultra-physical encounter | Kevin Owens' post-match comments
Owens’ hubris was on full display as he signaled for the Pop-Up Powerbomb, but the telegraphing came at a price, as Ryback instead delivered a Meat Hook Clothesline that almost decapitated the opposition. With a surge of energy, Ryback pulled down the straps of his singlet and hoisted Owens onto his shoulder in preparation for Shell Shocked. Yet, as the two juggernauts neared the ropes, the veteran Intercontinental Champion wisely grabbed hold of the top strand and pulled himself off Ryback’s mighty shoulders.
With Owens still entangled in the ropes, referee John Cone tried to force Ryback to halt his attack. The momentary distraction enabled Owens to swiftly boot The Big Guy off and then finally connect with a Pop-Up Powerbomb to down Ryback for the pin.