AJ Styles defended his United States Championship against Kevin Owens tonight during WWE SummerSlam. SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon served as the referee for the match.
AJ controlled the match early and connected with a Dropkick. Styles then spent the next couple of minutes in control until Owens connected with a jab to AJ’s throat. Owens followed it up with a Clothesline that sent AJ flipping across the ring. Owens connected with a series of right hands and shouted “who is phenomenal now?”.
Owens threw Styles to the corner and connected with a Cannonball for a two count. Owens shouted at Shane McMahon for a slow count and yelled at his positioning in the ring. Owens connected with a Senton for another two count and then applied a Chin Lock. Owens slammed Styles to the mat for a two count and once again started shouting at Shane McMahon.
"You fall off buildings! And you can't get up to make that 3-count?!" – @FightOwensFight to @shanemcmahon #SummerSlam #USTitle pic.twitter.com/j6twduMaoi
— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2017
Owens went for the Pop-Up Powerbomb but AJ countered it into a Fireman’s Carry Neckbreaker for a two count. AJ went for the springboard 450 Splash but Kevin Owens dragged Shane McMahon on top of him and Styles landed on Shane. Owens then hit the Pop-Up Powerbomb but Styles kicked out at two.
Kevin Owens once again started shouting at Shane McMahon as AJ made his way back to his feet. Owens charged at Styles but AJ got out of the way and Owens hit the ring post. Styles locked in the Calf Crusher but Owens raked AJ’s eyes to break the hold. Styles got frustrated and shoved Shane McMahon. Shane shoved back and Owens rolled AJ up for a two count.
Styles Suplexed Owens into the turnbuckle and then perched Owens up on the top rope. Owens battled back and hit a massive Superplex for a two count. Owens and Styles got back to their feet and started trading punches and chops. Styles went for a Pele Kick but Owens got out of the way and connected with a Superkick. Styles planted Owens with a Styles Clash but Owens was somehow able to power out at two.
THIS just blew @shanemcmahon's MIND! #SummerSlam #USTitle @FightOwensFight pic.twitter.com/9i0z0Kfmoo
— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2017
Owens avoided a forearm from Styles and planted AJ with a Pop-Up Powerbomb. Owens thought he won the match but AJ’s foot was on the rope. Owens got in Shane’s face and the two started shoving each other. AJ rolled up Owens for a two count. Styles hit the Phenomenal Forearm and then hit the Styles Clash for the victory.
Not so fast, @FightOwensFight!@shanemcmahon says it's a 2-COUNT! #SummerSlam #USTitle pic.twitter.com/HyOCbYyWIi
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 21, 2017
For the first time tonight, a champion hears…AND STILL!@AJStylesOrg RETAINS his #USTitle at #SummerSlam! pic.twitter.com/56rgCT2QvS
— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2017
