Kevin Owens vs. Dolph Ziggler: Winner and Reaction from WWE Fastlane 2016

In his first title defense since becoming Intercontinental champion for the second time, Kevin Owens defeated Dolph Ziggler in Ziggler's hometown Cleveland, Ohio, Sunday night at WWE Fastlane.

Ziggler lost after trying and failing to land a superkick on Owens. The champion ducked out of the way and kicked the challenger in the knee to send him to the canvas. That gave Owens the opening to connect on a Pop-up Powerbomb for the pinfall.

The champion was thrilled to have regained his title, via WWE:

WWE Universe also captured an entertaining moment between Owens and one of Ziggler's fans in the front row:

Former WWE announcer Jim Ross thoroughly enjoyed the match:

Kevin Berge of Questionable Critics countered that something was missing from this bout between the two Superstars:

After the match, Owens appeared to tease an upcoming feud with A.J. Styles: 

"

Hey dweebs…If AJ Styles ever comes anywhere near MY #ICTitle, I’ll take him out in less time than it took me to toss him out of the Rumble.

— Kevin Owens (@FightOwensFight) February 22, 2016"

KO initially dropped the IC title to Dean Ambrose at TLC after holding it for nearly three months. The Canadian Superstar got back at The Lunatic Fringe on the final episode of Raw prior to Fastlane, however.

Stephanie McMahon forced Ambrose into a Fatal 5-Way match with his Intercontinental Championship on the line, and Owens took advantage of the situation by pinning Tyler Breeze to win the strap.

Following the victory, Owens made it clear how much holding one of the most prestigious titles in WWE history meant to him, according to WWE Universe:

Ziggler was also in that match, and although he didn't come away with the belt, he was quick to challenge Owens to a bout at Fastlane.

WWE's Prizefighter initially rejected The Showoff, but the match was scheduled anyway because Ziggler enjoyed some success against Owens in the weeks leading up to his Intercontinental Championship triumph.

Ziggler entered Fastlane as a four-time IC titleholder in his own right, and as someone who hasn't been featured in big spots as of late despite his immense talent, he looked to use the championship as a springboard to bigger and better things leading up to WrestleMania.

Owens also has his sights set on WrestleMania, and after winning the Intercontinental Championship on Raw, he announced his intention to do something big at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas:

"

Back where it belongs…and I’m not done. In 48 days, I turn #WrestleMania32 into the first ever #KOMania pic.twitter.com/qcsKdp0ZMW

— Kevin Owens (@FightOwensFight) February 16, 2016"

While Ziggler may still have an opportunity to do something of note on the grandest stage of them all, it was Owens who escaped Fastlane with the title in tow.

It's clear top Superstars such as Triple H, Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker will be part of huge matches at WrestleMania, but sorting out the company's massive midcard and figuring out how those talents will be utilized is extremely difficult to do even with the biggest show of the year on the horizon.

WWE has gone back and forth with Owens in terms of pushing him with big winning streaks and cooling him off with losing streaks. Ziggler is similar in that regard, although losses have been far more common for him.

Based on what happened at Fastlane, a singles match could be in the cards for Owens at WrestleMania, but it is tough to envision Ziggler receiving that same treatment.

KO could just as easily be thrust into a multi-man match such as the Intercontinental Championship ladder match that took place at last year's WrestleMania, though.

Both Owens and Ziggler deserve a chance to shine on the biggest card of 2016, but it remains unclear if either will be given that opportunity.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.