AJ Styles defended his United States Championship against Kevin Owens tonight to kick off this week’s episode of SmackDown. Kevin Owens controlled the majority of the match, but the match turned when Kevin Owens accidentally punched referee Mike Chioda in the face. Owens then quickly went for the Pop-Up Powerbomb on Styles but AJ reversed it into a roll-up for the victory. Owens’ shoulders were clearly off the mat but Chioda didn’t realize it due to being punched in the face.
SmackDown commissioner Shane McMahon and SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan had a conversation with Mike Chioda backstage. They pointed out that he made a huge mistake and Chioda owned up to it. Owens then stormed in and interrupted the conversation and started shouting at Chioda. Owens went to grab Chioda but Shane McMahon got in his face.
Shane said that Owens will indeed get another shot at the United States Championship because of the referee’s mistake. Owens wasn’t satisfied and continued to shout at Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon. Owens demanded a competent referee for the match and Daniel Bryan suggested Shane McMahon. Shane agreed to it and Owens got even more pissed off. Owens said that Shane McMahon was even more incompetent than the referees on SmackDown.
#SDLive GM @WWEDanielBryan has an idea for who should officiate @FightOwensFight vs. @AJStylesOrg for the #USTitle at #SummerSlam! pic.twitter.com/zYOhPNsssv
— WWE (@WWE) August 2, 2017
Updated WWE SummerSlam card
Fatal 4-Way for the WWE Universal Championship
- Â Brock Lesnar (c) vs Roman Reigns vs Samoa Joe vs Braun Strowman
(if Brock Lesnar loses, he leaves WWE)
SmackDown Women’s Championship
- Naomi (c) vs Natalya
RAW Women’s Championship
- Alexa Bliss (c) vs Bayley
United States Championship (Special Referee Shane McMahon)
- AJ Styles (c) vs Kevin Owens
