On January 29, 2018, WWE presented an intense showdown between The Miz and Roman Reigns for the Intercontinental Championship on Monday Night Raw. This match came as part of their heated rivalry, with The Miz seeking to solidify his legacy as one of the greatest Intercontinental Champions, while Roman Reigns, known as “The Big Dog,” aimed to reclaim the title and continue his dominant run in WWE.
As the match began, the crowd was electric, knowing they were about to witness two of WWE’s top Superstars clash for one of the company’s most prestigious championships. The Miz, accompanied by The Miztourage (Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel), immediately sought to frustrate Reigns with his signature mind games. He attempted to evade The Big Dog’s powerful offense early on, using quick counters and strategic rollouts to avoid heavy damage.
However, Reigns wasted little time in asserting his dominance. He used his size and strength advantage to overpower The Miz with a series of powerful strikes, including his signature clotheslines in the corner. A big boot and a Samoan Drop put The Miz in early trouble, forcing him to retreat to ringside and regroup with The Miztourage. The numbers game quickly came into play, as Dallas and Axel created distractions that allowed The Miz to turn the tide.
Taking advantage of the opening, The Miz targeted Reigns’ legs, hoping to weaken his power base. He applied submission holds and delivered well-placed kicks to Roman’s hamstring, slowing down the challenger’s explosive offense. The A-Lister continued his assault with a calculated approach, hitting his patented running knee strikes and a DDT for near falls.
Despite The Miz’s relentless attacks, Reigns fought back, showing his resilience. He countered a Skull-Crushing Finale attempt and delivered a thunderous sit-out powerbomb that nearly secured the victory. The Miz barely kicked out, leaving the WWE Universe on edge. The momentum shifted back and forth, with Reigns gearing up for the Superman Punch, only for The Miz to sidestep and roll him up with his feet on the ropes for a close two-count.
As the match reached its climax, The Miztourage once again attempted to interfere, but the referee caught their actions and ejected them from ringside. With his allies gone, The Miz was left to fend for himself. Reigns took advantage, connecting with a Superman Punch that sent The Miz crashing to the mat. The Big Dog roared, signaling for the Spear, but The Miz, ever the opportunist, countered by sending Reigns into the exposed turnbuckle—a tactic he had previously set up.
Seizing the moment, The Miz capitalized and delivered a Skull-Crushing Finale. The referee counted one… two… three! The Miz successfully retained the Intercontinental Championship, using his cunning and strategy to outsmart the powerhouse Reigns.
The victory solidified The Miz’s legacy as a master manipulator and one of the greatest Intercontinental Champions in WWE history. Meanwhile, Reigns, though defeated, once again proved why he was one of WWE’s most resilient and dominant competitors. The battle was a testament to both Superstars’ determination, leaving the WWE Universe buzzing about what would come next.
