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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Kevin Owens stunned John Cena at Elimination Chamber. Two weeks after the biggest win of his career, Owens couldn’t topple the United States Champion again at Money in the Bank 2015, but he still stunned Cena and the WWE Universe.
When Owens first walked into a WWE ring in May 2015, he sent a loud message, leaving Cena out on the mat. Defeating Cena at Elimination Chamber only vindicated the NXT Champion’s 15-year journey from the indies to WWE. Yet with Owens’ sights set on “exposing the lie” behind Cena, the U.S. Champion fought to prove “Never Give Up” was more than a slogan to sell neon-colored T-shirts.
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Before Money in the Bank started, a confident Owens told Tom Phillips, “I don’t have any fear. I beat Cena at Elimination Chamber, and I’m going to do the exact same thing tonight.” Owens rode that confidence to the ring, smirking while the raucous crowd chanted “Fight Owens Fight!”
Even as Cena took control in the opening moments, the prize fighter’s hubris never wavered, commenting mid-match on Cena’s tough early attack: “How’d that work out for you last time?”
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Owens backed up his trash talk further by hitting Cena’s signature combination — a pair of shoulder blocks, side slam and 5-Knuckle Shuffle. Cena wouldn’t stay down, though. He battled through Owens’ hard-hitting punches and slam with resiliency that would have made any fan of the hometown Blue Jackets smile.
When Cena hoisted Owens into position for an Attitude Adjustment, adding a “You can’t see me” taunt for good measure, it seemed academic. Then Owens powered out of the pinfall at a late two, and the Cenation leader nearly unraveled.
Cena questioned referee Mike Chioda’s two-count, showing an unusual amount of frustration for The Champ. Hoping to deliver a decisive blow, Cena perched Owens on the turnbuckle, eying a top-rope AA. It nearly cost him the bout, however, as the NXT Champion countered into a spinning sit-out powerbomb.
Neither Superstar could get a firm grip on momentum in the moments that followed. Cena rolled out of a Pop-up Powerbomb with a hurricanrana. Owens dodged a top-rope legdrop and followed with a belly-to-back side slam.
Unable to secure the win, the two Superstars dug deep into their arsenals, with Owens attempting — and missing — a moonsault and Cena hitting a sunset flip powerbomb. With every unordinary move, no one at Nationwide Arena had a clue what they were watching. They just knew it was special.
Ultimately, Cena caught Owens off-guard and won with an Attitude Adjustment, though he had to show his respect to the NXT Champion for his valiant performance. As Owens stumbled to his feet, Cena lauded his rival, handing him the NXT Championship and offering his hand for a handshake.
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Owens isn’t one for fairytale endings, though. He shook Cena’s hand, then kicked the air out of him before powerbombing him into the ring apron on the outside. While a team of officials tended to the wounded Cena, Owens laughed all the way to the locker room — throwing the United States Championship at Cena as he walked away.
If a star was born at Elimination Chamber, the mystique only grew at Money in the Bank after a defeated Owens left The Champ hobbling to the locker room. With the rivalry now split at a victory each and Cena disrespected, how long will we have to wait for a rubber match?