World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan def. Big Show and Mark Henry (Triple Threat Steel Cage Match)

ST. LOUIS – World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan took advantage of what looked to be an inescapable predicament once again to leave the 25th anniversary of the Royal Rumble with the World Title. Trapped inside a steel cage with both The World’s Largest Athlete and The World’s Strongest Man, Bryan escaped with his championship in-hand after slipping out of Big Show’s massive grip as the giant tried to lift him back into the ring, crashing to the arena floor to retain his title. (PHOTOS)

Both Show and Henry were hoping to settle long-standing scores with Bryan. The World’s Largest Athlete was the unfortunate target of Bryan’s Money in the Bank cash-in at WWE TLC in December. His rematch came to a screeching halt when the champion’s girlfriend, AJ, was accidentally steamrolled by Big Show at ringside.  Big Show, with the guilt of putting AJ in the hospital hanging over his head, said he’d be reconsidering his career after the Royal Rumble. After Bryan fled the cage with the title, will Big Show hang up his boots?

Henry did his best to avoid the drama, but his title rematch went to a no contest after the Lumberjack Match ended in a Royal Rumble-esque melee. The World’s Strongest Man was extra-surly heading into Sunday’s encounter. After Bryan’s escape, Henry may be dead-set on making Daniel Bryan the next inductee into the Hall of Pain.

Now, the World Heavyweight Champion will have to deal with the wrath of two angry behemoths as the Road to WrestleMania picks up steam. Can Bryan’s lucky streak continue and put him in the main event on The Grandest Stage of Them All?