The championship picture over on Smackdown Live has been more than confusing for the past few weeks. AJ Styles has been proven to be a strong champion until Daniel Bryan was trying to interfere with a contrary complexion in his character playing favourites to the heel superstars, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn despite Shane McMahon giving him a warning.
We are kicking off tonight’s @WWE #RoyalRumble with a potentially HISTORIC #WWEChampionship match… LET’S GO! pic.twitter.com/y7jy9QUjOU
— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2018
He’ll fight anyone (except @SamiZayn, he’d be wise not to do that tonight)…@FightOwensFight is on his way to the ring at @WWE #RoyalRumble! pic.twitter.com/kdvv9F3R8w
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 29, 2018
It set up an unthinkable matchup at last night’s Royal Rumble where the champion had to defend his title against two challengers, at the same time. For the first time ever, in a PPV, the WWE Champion was forced to compete in a handicap match against both Owens and Zayn. This gave them the opportunity to become the first-ever co-WWE Champions in the company’s history.
GET ? on @WWENetwork RIGHT NOW, because @AJStylesOrg is about to defend the @WWE Championship against @FightOwensFight AND @SamiZayn at #RoyalRumble! pic.twitter.com/U8RZWVYuIW
— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) January 29, 2018
There’s always a way around the strategy…#RoyalRumble #WWEChampionship @FightOwensFight @SamiZayn pic.twitter.com/5FEawqAbZl
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 29, 2018
#HelluvaKick? NOPE, but THIS was a hell of a kick by @AJStylesOrg!#RoyalRumble #WWEChampionship pic.twitter.com/u6UucH7lRH
— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2018
So, there was no way that AJ Styles was the favourite one heading into this match on the first dual-brand PPV of the year that kicked off the night. It was interesting to see Sami and Owens getting separate entrances while starting the match. AJ Styles followed them in a big reception from the crowd while entering the arena.
PHENOMENAL FOREARM by @AJStylesOrg CONNECTS, but @FightOwensFight was lurking close by…#RoyalRumble #WWEChampionship pic.twitter.com/lON53MoSBv
— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2018
Styles and Owens started the match, but the heel one decided to tag his partner, quickly for a couple of times playing mind-games. Zayn was able to connect with the blue thunder bomb on Styles for a close three count.
But, Styles came right back into the contest with a forearm but failed to gain the pinfall attempt. Meanwhile, Styles sent Sami Zayn over the top rope and rolled up Owens for the win even though he is not the legal one. Styles controversially retained the champion, as the heel duo continued to complain about the authorities’ call.
Is #WWEChampion @AJStylesOrg about to turn this #HandicapMatch against @FightOwensFight and @SamiZayn into a #PHENOMENAL situation?! #RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/utRmjN1oky
— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2018
A phenomenal effort by a PHENOMENAL CHAMPION as @AJStylesOrg survives @FightOwensFight & @SamiZayn to retain his #WWEChampionship! #RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/9TYB4DFsD6
— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2018