Roman Reigns def. Dean Ambrose in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Final Match; Sheamus cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to become WWE World Heavyweight Champion

 

ATLANTA — Mere moments after Roman Reigns defeated Dean Ambrose in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Final Match, Sheamus cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and pinned Reigns to steal the title from him.

Check back with WWE.com shortly for complete detailed results.

 

ATLANTA — Mr. Money in the Bank spoiled Roman Reigns’ night once again.

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Minutes after The Big Dog defeated his best friend, Dean Ambrose, to prevail in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament, Sheamus cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and pinned Reigns to snatch the title from him.

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It is the second time a cash-in has cost Reigns his opportunity at taking his place as WWE’s standard bearer.  At WrestleMania 31, it was Seth Rollins who interjected himself into Reigns’ WWE World Heavyweight Title Match against Brock Lesnar and ruined his golden opportunity.

Sheamus seizing the title has to sting all the more, though, as Reigns actually had the championship in his possession this time. The advantage of being the keeper of the coveted briefcase and its contract was never so apparent. Reigns fought his way through beasts like Big Show and Cesaro and even battled a man he considers a brother to get to the WWE World Heavyweight Title. The Celtic Warrior walked right in and took it.

It was a heartbreaking end to what should have been a defining night for Reigns. After defeating Alberto Del Rio in impressive fashion in the first match of the night, The Big Dog put his friendship with Ambrose aside and fought with everything he had to fulfill his dream of becoming WWE’s star player.

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The former Shield allies, who debuted together at Survivor Series three years ago, traded serious fisticuffs right from the start. Reigns hit the first power move of the match when he snatched Ambrose up and launched him across the ring in a raw display of power. When The Lunatic Fringe came right back with a frenzy of punches and kicks, the makeup of the match was clear. Reigns would rely on his strength advantage, and Ambrose would make up for he lacked in power with an overabundance of crazy.

 

Quickly, the brawl spilled to the arena floor where Reigns hurled his friend into the barricade with scary velocity. Whenever he was at the mercy of The Big Dog, Ambrose would take a major risk to put himself back in the race. This time, he dove out of the ring onto Reigns and then blasted him with a missile dropkick off the top rope.

The Lunatic Fringe wasn’t all manic showmanship, though. He employed a little strategy as well, targeting Roman’s vulnerable right arm that Del Rio nearly ripped out of the socket earlier in the night.

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Ambrose’s reckless abandon only took him so far. When he attempted another big dive from the top rope onto Roman, he got knocked out of his boots by a Superman Punch that nobody — including possibly Reigns himself — saw coming. 

It looked like Reigns had his opponent right where he wanted him as he readied to hit the Spear, but Ambrose — either by luck or by instinct — nearly reversed it into Dirty Deeds. Roman avoided that, but got blasted by a monster of a clothesline. Somehow, Reigns rebounded from that blow, and connected with a Spear that had to have shattered a few of Ambrose’s ribs. The gutsy Superstar wasn’t going out like that. Against all odds, he escape Roman’s pin attempt before the count of three.

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The pace slowed as each man willed their bodies to continue. Reigns went for another Spear, which was stopped by a kick from Ambrose. When he tried it again, he was sent careening into the ring post and then destroyed by Dirty Deeds. A three-count seemed elementary, but the big man still had some fight left in him.

Fatigue set in for both competitors. Each lay motionless on the canvas, struggling to answer the referee’s 10-count before trading punches while still seated on the canvas. They struggled to their feet between blows, and then kept on exchanging fists like they were rumbling in the parking lot of a sketchy bar.

Reigns managed to back Ambrose up into the corner and began smashing his chest with shots that echoed throughout the Philips Arena. Ambrose willed himself back into the fight with hard knuckles to Roman’s head. but got so wrapped up in his offensive onslaught that he raced to the opposite corner, ricocheted off the turnbuckle and ran right back into one of the most destructive Spears Reigns has ever hit.

There was no kicking out after that. Three seconds later, and Roman Reigns had finally won the WWE World Heavyweight Title.

 

The new champion wore a mix of expressions on his face as he gripped the title in the center of the ring — pain, pride, relief. Nearly three years to the day since he made his WWE debut, Reigns had finally reached the mountaintop, joining an elite fraternity of men like his cousin The Rock, Andre the Giant and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.

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Ambrose embraced his friend in the ring, showing there was still plenty of love and respect between the two warriors. They fist bumped, and The Lunatic Fringe exited, leaving the ring to Reigns to soak up his moment. Fireworks exploded in the Philips Arena, confetti fell from the ceiling and then Triple H’s music hit.

WWE’s COO entered the ring, applauding the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion before lifting his hand to the sky in an unexpected show of respect. The Game then offered his hand to Roman, but The Juggernaut knew better. He turned his back on Triple H, waited a moment and then Speared him out of his expensive loafers.

It was a highlight reel worthy hit, but as soon as Reigns got back to his feet he was smashed by a Brogue Kick from Sheamus.

Mr. Money in the Bank, arriving seemingly out of nowhere, handed his briefcase to the official in a panic and covered Reigns. Somehow, The Big Dog kicked out. Feeling the effects of two grueling matches and a boot from Sheamus, Reigns struggled to get his bearings, but still managed to avoid a second Brogue Kick. Roman went for a Spear but this time the Brogue Kick connected. Sheamus covered, the referee counted three and the title changed hands again.   

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The Celtic Warrior grabbed the title — his fourth time bearing WWE’s richest prize — and embraced The Game in the center of the ring. Had this been their plan all along? It certainly appeared that way as the two men stood above a fallen Reigns — the Superstar now buried in the confetti that he’d celebrated in only moments ago — and raised their hands in victory.

The fix was in. Reigns had refused to side with The Authority, and he paid the price for it. Another career defining night had been spoiled and Roman didn’t attempt to hide that disappointment when he came to. The competitor who had seemed so indestructible only minutes ago now looked broken, both physically and emotionally.

Reigns will be back, though, and he’ll be more dangerous than ever. He was after the WWE World Heavyweight Title before. Now he’s after the WWE World Heavyweight Title, and retribution. Triple H and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus just made themselves a very serious adversary.