WWE Week in Review: Who Received B/R's Top Awards for Week of Feb. 19

On the homestretch to Fastlane 2016, many of WWE's best moments came from allies banging heads.

The company succeeded in building suspense for the pay-per-view by furthering the tension between Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks, and by having Dean Ambrose position Roman Reigns for Dirty Deeds. Fastlane added an unexpected title match as well, after Kevin Owens reclaimed the Intercontinental Championship.

Owens had ample reason to celebrate.

He helped make Raw's opener a stunner of a bout. Soon after, he stole the show on SmackDown by throwing only verbal jabs. He can now add a pair of weekly B/R awards to the prizes he won during an impressive spell.

B/R's Top Match of the Week: Fatal 5-Way (Raw)

Monday's Raw kicked off with an unexpected match—Dean Ambrose having to face four challengers at once. The bout proved exhilarating, both in terms of ring action and the narrative paths the result opened up.

WWE had neglected the Intercontinental Championship with Ambrose busy positioning himself for a title shot. Throwing him into the fire with Dolph Ziggler, Kevin Owens, Tyler Breeze and Stardust forced him into survival mode.

Near-falls and fast-paced wrestling powered the title match. 

It also wisely made use of existing tension. Owens and Ziggler are in the midst of a feud. Ziggler and Breeze just ended one of their own. Owens and Ambrose's issues aren't over.

To cram all those men in one space added animosity to a standout clash.

The title match, as a result, earned a heap of praise. Former WWE star Taz called it "awesome" on Twitter. Jason Powell of ProWrestling.net wrote that it was "highly entertaining."

It's now more believable that The Lunatic Fringe could actually win at Fastlane. As IC champ, he wasn't going to get a crack at the world titleholder. Now, WWE is at least hinting that he could upset Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns.

And for Owens, he gets back to being champion, something he thrived at. Should he fend off Ziggler at Fastlane, WWE has a number of ways to showcase the belt at WrestleMania. An AJ Styles vs. Owens match for the gold has classic written all over it.

B/R's Top Under-the-Radar Move: Sasha Banks Refuses Becky Lynch's Aid

Sasha Banks continues to straddle the line between babyface and heel. She's a lone wolf focused on her own hunt.

Thursday's SmackDown reiterated that fact. 

After defeating Tamina, Banks found herself tasting boots from both Naomi and Tamina after the bell. Becky Lynch ran in to save her, but Banks was far from appreciative. She pushed Lynch away, looking as if she was ready to fight her as well.

This is all an effective way to create anticipation for the women's tag match at Fastlane.

Banks showed once again how tenuous her alliance with Lynch is. It's just as likely that the two take down Team B.A.D. together at the pay-per-view as it is that Banks tears her own partner apart. That leaves the audience anxious to see what happens in what would normally be a ho-hum midcard bout.

WWE has done well to have us invested in Banks' ongoing shift in character. Whether she morphs into the fan favorite to juxtapose Charlotte's villainy or plays an anti-hero who defies traditional roles, there's plenty of reason to watch on.

B/R's Top Moment of the Week: Dean Ambrose Teases Attacking Roman Reigns

With chaos unfolding around them, Dean Ambrose was seconds away from smashing his friend's head into the mat. Instead, he slipped his arms from around Roman Reigns' neck and looked at him with a wry smile.

Once more, WWE hinted at this alliance splintering. Once more, it seems inevitable that these brothers-in-arms will go to war. As Wrestling Inc. tweeted, "The Reigns/Ambrose split tease has been going on for years, and it's fantastic."

Having Ambrose inexplicably go after Reigns following a brawl involving The Dudley Boyz and Brock Lesnar worked to play up his unhinged nature.

The Fastlane main event is better off for it. There is more suspense surrounding what Ambrose will do in the bout. Will he turn on his ally? Will the two punch each other in the mouth and share a beer afterward?

After a strong build, the Triple Threat is now bolstered by questions like those, rather than predictability bogging it down.

B/R's Standout NXT Star of the Week: Samoa Joe

At the end of Wednesday's NXT, fans still didn't know who the No. 1 contender for Finn Balor's title was, but they knew full well that Samoa Joe is a captivating monster on a hot streak.

Joe battled Sami Zayn in a powerful match that patiently built to a feverish climax. The powerhouse's intensity enthralled. His predatory presence elevated the action. Joe has been a revelation since his arrival.

As Alex Wendland wrote for Voices of Wrestling, "He's been every bit the stalwart we hoped for."

Even in a silent moment backstage, Joe forced the audience's eyes on him. Sitting in the locker room, waiting for the fight to begin, he glared ahead with a sadistic expression. He was seemingly seconds away from exploding.

Count that momentary showcase and the strong performance in the ring that followed as the latest exhibits in Joe's case to be called up to the main roster as soon as possible.

B/R's Top Wrestler of the Week: Kevin Owens

Between the ropes or at the announce desk, Kevin Owens nailed his opportunities.  

Owens snatched up the Intercontinental Championship in the best match of the week—the five-man bout on Raw for the title. While the success of that contest was due to everyone involved, Owens played a major role in making it special.

His disdain for his foes and aggressive offense stood out. The same goes for him powerbombing Breeze onto Ziggler and Stardust outside the ring.

The new champ topped himself, though, on SmackDown without even getting into the ring. He was the star of the show as he provided guest commentary for the opening match.

Owens' mastery of the heel persona was on full display. He mocked Michael Cole, telling him he was bad at his job. He threatened to slap Byron Saxton and wished Ziggler harm.

Every bit of it was a blast. 

WWE chose wisely in crowning Owens again. He wasted no time in reminding us how excellent an Owens reign can be.