10 Impulse Reactions Following WWE Fastlane 2017
7. The Return Of Jericho
Criticisms of WWE's 'distracted-by-music' finish aside, the understated but tide-turning appearance of Chris Jericho in the main event was an excellent chapter in one of the best stories the company has told in years.
Whilst unfortunate that the two cannot compete for the Universal Title, the inclusion of 'Y2J' as the primary reason Owens was thrown off his game exquisitely played off months of Jericho running endless interference for 'KO' to protect his title.
Proving Owens a fraud after his monster stalling session with Goldberg (more on that later), all it took was his grinning presence on the stage to leave the champion catatonic and prone for imminent defeat.
The 'Best Friends' tale between the two has been wonderfully told, and with Jericho still sporting his United States Title, stakes still pleasingly remain for WrestleMania, outside of mutual revenge for each man's misgivings.
Owens will undoubtedly fume at Jericho's surprising comeback, even though his friendship-severing attack was arguably a far more serious crime.
Though robbed of the biggest prize of all to fight over, the two have banked months of development and should at least get to reap the rewards in a huge payoff at 'The Showcase of the Immortals'.