Royal Rumble 2017 results: Kevin Owens pins Roman Reigns after Braun Strowman interference

Kevin Owens was in real danger of losing the WWE Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble, but a late assist from Braun Strowman helped him defeat Roman Reigns in a no-disqualification match, retaining the title even with Chris Jericho suspended above the ring in a shark cage.

After much stalling and reluctance, Jericho refused to get in the shark cage, instead teaming up with Owens to put the boots to Reigns before the match started. Reigns overcame the beatdown and threw Jericho against the cage before finally locking him in.

With Jericho lifted high above the ring, the match was underway. Owens and Reigns wasted no time brawling out of the ring and into the stands. Owens threw Reigns into the stairs and pulled a pile of chairs from under the ring. He set up the chairs in a row, tossed Reigns into the barricade, and hit a Cannonball roll onto his opponent.

Owens set up the chairs in a pyramid and tried to powerbomb Reigns through it, but Reigns recovered just in time and got back into the ring. Reigns went back to the outside and pulled out a table. Owens got a moment to recover and hit a backstabber on Reigns for two before pushing the table out of the ring. Owens tried a superkick, but Reigns countered it into a sit-out powerbomb that got a two-count.

Both men found their way on the floor after Roman hit Owens with a dropkick on the apron. He set up the table once again, but Owens superkicked Reigns onto it and climbed up top, nailing a frog splash that sent Reigns through the table. He dragged Reigns back in the ring for a pin, but Roman kicked out at two.

Both men exchanged strikes in the middle of the ring before Owens dropped Reigns by throwing him into a chair locked in the turnbuckle. That got another two-count. At this point, Jericho dropped a pair of brass knuckles from the shark cage, which Owens put on. He ultimately nailed Reigns with a loaded punch, but Reigns barely kicked out at the last moment.

Owens set up another chair in the ring and tried to powerbomb Reigns through it, but Reigns countered and threw Owens through the chair with a Samoan Drop for two. Reigns then got another table and slid it into the ring, setting it up in the corner. He dropped Owens with a Superman Punch for two, and then set up for the spear through the table. However, Owens blocked it and hit a Stunner for another nearfall. More stomps in the corner and another Cannonball left Reigns limp on the mat.

The pyramid of chairs came into play once again. Owens lifted up Reigns on the top rope and tried to superplex him, but Roman hit a Superman Punch and Owens went crashing through the chairs himself.

At this point, none other than Braun Strowman ran in. He went to work on Reigns, dropping him on the announcer table and power slamming him through the table in the ring. Owens crawled over to make the pin and retain the title.