The biggest match of the night took to the ring as Dean Ambrose looked to dethrone Triple H as WWE world heavyweight champion and throw WrestleMania into chaos.

Wily veteran Triple H looked unimpressed as he controlled the pace early, using his strength to shove The Lunatic Fringe away. Dueling chants in support of the champion and challenger filled the arena as the Superstars took to chain-wrestling, Ambrose grabbing a headlock before a knee to the midsection and a shoulder tackle put Ambrose down.

He recovered, though, flooring The Game and even dishing out a subdued crotch chop in defiance of his boss.

As things settled down, Ambrose proved to be quite the cerebral assassin himself, targeting the injured knee and quadriceps of Triple H while JBL put over his plan on commentary. The Game sent his opponent back-first into the steel steps and front suplexed him into the barricade to take control.

The King of Kings worked over his opponent's ribs and back, taking away his core in hopes the rest of Ambrose would crumble along with it.

Triple H's attempted superplex was countered, and Ambrose capitalized on the interruption by fighting back, unloading with a series of punches, chops and kicks in the corner. A running forearm had the champion reeling, and a bulldog nearly resulted in a title change.

The champion's patented knee to the face spot sent Ambrose into the ropes, only for The Lunatic Fringe to explode off with his signature clothesline. Triple H answered with a vicious clothesline of his own.

Action spilled outside, and Triple H ripped apart the announce table. Before he could use it, Ambrose sent Triple H into the stairs. Back inside the ring, Ambrose countered the Pedigree with the Figure Four as Michaels Cole screamed, "He's gonna tap Triple H!"

Ambrose locked in the Sharpshooter, drawing a loud audience ovation. Triple H struggled to make his way to the ropes as Cole questioned what the champion had left in him. Moments later, the challenger delivered Dirty Deeds for three, only to have referee John Cone call off the decision because his feet were under the ropes.

Outside the squared circle, Ambrose unloaded on Triple H, playing on the beating he suffered at the hands of the COO two weeks earlier. Ambrose's flying elbow attempt saw him crash through the table as Triple H rolled out of the way. Ambrose rolled back into the squared circle and was immediately greeted by an ugly Pedigree, and The Game retained the title.

Triple H defeated Dean Ambrose.

This was a brilliant exercise in drama, a match that built slowly with strong psychology, and then exploded with spot after spot designed at keeping fans guessing as to who would leave with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

From the controversial pinfall in which Ambrose scored a three-count over his opponent, to the flying elbow through the table, the performers intricately placed everything to generate the maximum amount of heat. It worked.

Everyone and their mothers knew Triple H was leaving with the title, but he is such an incredible performer, and Ambrose is such a sympathetic and lovable babyface, fans in Toronto and at home believed they may witness history.

The black cloud of Roman Reigns' second consecutive main event appearance at WrestleMania hanging over their heads did not hurt, either.

In the end, though, the predictable outcome occurred, yet it somehow did not hamper what was a spectacular wrestling match.

Interestingly enough, this is the second WWE Match of the Year candidate to include Dean Ambrose at this early point in 2016. With a WrestleMania showdown against Brock Lesnar on the books, expect that number to increase come April 3.