'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What's the story?
Cesaro faced Roman Reigns for the Intercontinental Championship on RAW, this week. Even though Reigns picked up the win, Cesaro earned the respect of the reigning and defending Intercontinental Champion.
Trending
Of course, yet another gentleman had something to say about this match too. This man just happened to be the greatest sports entertainment legend of all time.
New Champs in WWE! More RIGHT HERE
In case you didn't know...
Roman Reigns captured the Intercontinental Championship from the former champion, The Miz, and became a Grand Slam Champion, with his historic win.
Unlike The Miz, Roman Reigns prides himself on being a fighting champion and puts his championship on the line against anyone who deems himself worthy of a challenge.
This week, Roman Reigns and Cesaro had the match of the night, as the two men took each other to the absolute limit before Reigns picked up a big win.
The heart of the matter
Even in defeat, Cesaro earned the respect of his competitor Roman Reigns, and the Intercontinental Champion praised Cesaro on his official account. He did not break kayfabe while doing so, as Reigns said that even though Cesaro brought the fight, he wasn't good enough to take Reigns' championship.
Austin has a lot of respect for the performers in WWE right now. It was definitely a huge deal for him to put over both performers in the match, on this week's show.
What's next?
Roman Reigns is in a feud with Samoa Joe right now, and Cesaro and Sheamus are currently feuding with Ambrose and Rollins.
Who knows how long the Intercontinental Champion or the Tag Team Champions will be able to hang on to their belts?
As the Royal Rumble approaches, things are only going to get far more exciting.
Author's take
You can read my analysis of the match, here. Reigns has been having some great matches of late, and this was the best match he's had, in a while.
Having watched him live over the weekend and on my television screen this week, Reigns now has a brand new fan!
Send us news tips at [email protected]
