Daniel Bryan retained the WWE Title in his latest defense. He beat Kevin Owens and Mustafa Ali at the WWE Fastlane pay-per-view event in Cleveland, Ohio.
This wasn’t the original opponent for Bryan at this show. Kofi Kingston was supposed to challenge for the strap but that all changed on a recent episode of SmackDown Live when WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon announced that Owens would replace Kingston during a contract signing.
At Fastlane, although McMahon told Kofi he would be added to this contest, he lost to The Bar in a handicap match earlier in the night and couldn’t compete. Thus, the reason Ali was added at the last minute.
If you think @FightOwensFight can win the #WWEChampionship, give him a "HELL YEAH!" #WWEFastlane pic.twitter.com/5rVcfRqmr3
— WWE (@WWE) March 11, 2019
#TheNew @WWEDanielBryan has taken a BEATING in this #WWEChampionship Match. #WWEFastlane pic.twitter.com/80rjvMOTcV
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 11, 2019
Owens had been sidelined due to him suffering a knee injury and getting surgery. He was last seen in action on pay-per-view when he teamed with Elias in a losing effort against Bobby Lashley and John Cena at the Super Show-Down event.
Bryan won the title on November 13, 2018, in St. Louis, Missouri, on an episode of SmackDown Live by defeating AJ Styles, which marked his fourth reign as champion.
The belief is that Bryan will defend his title next against Kingston at WrestleMania 35. Time will tell whether this comes true or WWE decides to add Owens into the mix in order to make it a triple threat match.
What are your thoughts on Bryan retaining the title? Was this the right call by WWE officials? Sound off in the comment section.
