– As you all most likely know, Sami Zayn turned heel at Hell In A Cell this past weekend to assist Kevin Owens in defeating Shane McMahon in the evening’s main event. In response, “KO” helped Zayn defeat Mike Kanellis at last night’s (Mon. October 9, 2017) WWE live event from Lansing, Michigan. After the match Owens cut a promo and proclaimed that he and Zayn defeated Shane together this past Sunday.
– We previously reported that Kalisto dedicated his Cruiserweight Championship win last night to Rey Mysterio and the late WWE Hall Of Famer Eddie Guerrero (as it was his birthday last night). Mysterio later responded to Kalisto and claimed that Guerrero is smiling after the win:
Before the shocking events of Hell In a Cell PPV where Sami Zayn unexpectedly helped Kevin Owens in winning his match against Shane McMahon, Owens had an interview with In Your Corner Podcast. Below are some of the highlights from his interview:
On his matches with Sami Zayn:
“Sometimes you have chemistry with people that is undeniable, and it just works, and sometimes you have matches with someone you think you are going to have good chemistry with, and it just doesn’t turn out that way. Sami and I have known each other for well over 15 years, so being here is the latter stage for us. We’ve been friends, we’ve been enemies, and have been at each other’s throats, and have been at each other’s side, we have done it all. We have been in every match possible. We’ve put each other through a lot, but also have been there for each other, so I think that translates to good chemistry at times.”
On his relationship with Zayn:
“I would say that we are more like brothers than we are friends because we don’t choose our relatives, or who your brother and sister are; you don’t choose your family. You are born into your family, and in this case we weren’t born into each other’s family, but from the start of our careers when we started wrestling, on the Independent scene in the United States, or even back home in Canada, once we started to get our names out there and become more recognized, people just started booking us together all the time, which wasn’t our choice, they just paired up the ‘guy in the mask’ and Kevin Steen together and it just snowballed from there into where we are now.”
The former NXT Champion’s limited position on SmackDown Live:
“I don’t think anybody deserves anything than what they already have because I believe everyone gets what they deserve. I’m not saying Sami doesn’t deserve a bigger role; I’m saying Sami will get a bigger role eventually. I think everyone deserves a bigger role, but I don’t think that is being taken away from them on purpose, and I believe everyone will get what they will get, which is what I believe. Some will tend to disagree with me on that, but that is okay, I’m not one to worry about popularity with my co-workers, I’m just who I am and that’s just how it is. Sami will get his on his time; you will eventually get to where you belong if you believe you deserve to be there.”
– WWE SmackDown has a live event tonight from East Lansing, Michigan. Tomorrow’s SmackDown Live will broadcast from Grand Rapids, Michigan.
– WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus wrote a blog post on her website talking about Natalya breaking her pay-per-view match record at last night’s Hell in a Cell PPV:
“I’m not surprised, Nattie is hands down the hardest working WWE Superstar male or female! In the ring she is as solid as it gets, as a performer she always delivers, and she is a excellent representative of not only the company but of woman in wrestling. She truly exemplifies what you can accomplish through hard work and what can happen when you follow your passion.. And it is for all of those reasons and more that I have always said following my retirement, that I wish I had worked with Nattie.”
– The conclusion of Sunday’s WWE Hell in a Cell pay-per-view saw Sami Zayn turning heel, saving longtime rival Kevin Owens from a top-of-the-cage attack by Shane McMahon and helping Owens get the victory in their Falls Count Anywhere match.
Following the show, Owens took to social media to share the following throwback photo of himself and Zayn.
Former WWE Universal and United States Champion Kevin Owens recently did an interview with ESPN ahead of his Hell In A Cell match against SmackDown Live Commissioner Shane McMahon. During the interview “KO” discussed what it was like to work with “The Chairman Of The Board” Vince McMahon, getting mixed reactions from the WWE Universe much like John Cena and Roman Reigns do, and how being a top guy in the promotions doesn’t necessarily mean he needs to be champion. You can check out the highlights here below:
What it’s like working with Vince McMahon:
“There’s a lot of things in my WWE career I’m very proud of, things I accomplished that not many people get to live out in their careers. I’ve done it in a relatively short period of time, so that’s really cool. But being in the ring with Vince McMahon and the ensuing situation there was definitely at the top of the list of things I’ll look back on when I’m older and I’m not wrestling anymore. When I was 11 years old, I started watching WWE. He’s been the figurehead of this company. He’s been the man behind the thing I was obsessed with for years and years and years.”
Getting mixed reactions from the WWE Universe like stars such as John Cena and Roman Reigns:
“Whether it’s one way or another or a mix of both, I feel like those kinds of reactions are the most interesting. The kind of reactions Roman Reigns elicits. The kind of reactions John Cena elicits. They’re the strongest because you can almost have crowds competing with themselves. People cheering ’em, people booing ’em, people trying to be heard louder than the people next to them.That creates for this really special atmosphere. That’s what I’m striving to, that’s what I’m hoping to get one day. I’m well-aware that no matter how big of a jerk I am, some people will cheer me, and no matter what I do, some people will boo me, and that’s fine. I just need to elicit emotion. That’s all I care about.”
How being a top guy in the promotion doesn’t necessarily mean you need to be a champion:
“I used to say that even on the independent scene, I remember a specific incident where one particular wrestler was really worried about being world champion. It’s the company that I used to wrestle for on the independent scene, and I remember telling him that it didn’t matter who the champion was because no matter how many times he became champion, I’d always be the top guy [there]. I feel like that’s true in WWE as well. Not that I’m the top guy, but I’m saying I don’t necessarily think the WWE champion, or the Universal champion, or any kind of champion, equates to being the top guy in WWE.
“I think that’s determined by performances and attitude. Consistency is very important. Obviously, being WWE Champion, or a Universal Champion, is as big as it gets as far as winning titles goes. And that goes a long way to helping somebody become top guy, be viewed as top guy, but I do think that there’s a difference between being a champion and being a top guy, for sure. I obviously value being a top guy more than being a champion, but one helps the other; they kind of come hand in hand.”
You can check out the full interview between Owens and ESPNhere.
This weekend former WWE Universal and United States Champion Kevin Owens will be locked inside Hell In A Cell against SmackDown Live Commissioner Shane McMahon. “KO” recently joined CBS’ “In This Corner” podcast to promote the event and talked about a variety of professional wrestling topics.
One topic of discussion was how well Owens plays the role of a heel. Surprisingly, however, Owens says that he actually isn’t trying to be a heel:
“You know, people throw these words around so much; heel, babyfaces… shoot, kayfabe, work, all of this crap that they hear wrestlers say. I can honestly, genuinely say that I am not trying to be a heel. I don’t know if that makes me a good performer or a bad performer, I’m sure many veterans of the industry will have their opinions on what I just said, but I try to do the best performance I can, and I try and achieve the goal that I know is required of me.
“That always leads to people hating my guts and makes other people loving what I do. I always try to get the loudest reaction I can, whether it’s being booed out of the building or being cheered… nothing I do is in hopes of receiving either reaction. I just want people to be loud, and I want to elicit emotions and that’s what I always try for, so people ask me ‘how are you such a good heel?’
“I don’t know the answer, I’m just being me and I just go with what I need to do to get the job done on any show that I’m on and on any particular evening what’s required of me I try to achieve that and I go from there. If people enjoy my work, that’s great, but I don’t set out with a goal in terms of getting a reaction, I just try to do what I can to do it as good as I can.”
You can check out Kevin Owens’ full interview on the “In This Corner” podcast here.
While many people believe that the SmackDown Live roster lacks the star power, it appears WWE is planning to take another major star away from the blue roster after John Cena.
During the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Live Bryan Alvarez talked about the upcoming match between Kevin Owens and Shane McMahon and revealed that it could lead to Owens being moved back to Raw.
According to Alvarez, the plans for the upcoming Hell In A Cell match are not set in stone yet, and one of the ideas being discussed around include a brand switch for the former Universal Champion after this bout.
What’s interesting to note here is that recently, several fans noted that Kevin was oddly being advertised for a Raw episode on October 16th on Facebook as seen in the screenshot below:
After this, a report from Cagesideseats claimed that the former US Champion is being advertised for not one but several Raw events in near future which only fuels the rumors of him switching brands.
While it’s yet to be seen if WWE actually settles with the plans of moving Owens back to Raw, it appears the company has already plotted seeds for it in form of the return of Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon during the recent Mr McMahon-Kevin Owens segment.
Though if they do end up taking him away from SmackDown Live, it’d be interesting to see if WWE moves a star from the Raw roster as a replacement for Owens and if they do, then who it turns out to be.
– With Enzo Amore now holding the Cruiserweight Championship, Dave Meltzer noted on a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE appears to be transforming 205 Live from a wrestling oriented program into more of a showcase for Enzo. Viewership for 205 Live has been disappointing for the past several months and the feeling is that even though Enzo is a heel in storylines, he remains popular and sells a ton of merchandise.
– Mattel is relaxing a new “Epic Moments” action figure 2-pack spotlighting Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens’ memorable Festival of Friendship segment from earlier this year. The Jericho figure is sporting a big happy grin on his face, unaware of what’s about to transpire.
– In response to WWE sending the Young Bucks a cease and desist letter over the usage of the “Too Sweet” phrase and hand gesture, the Bucks are capitalizing on the situation and have released a Crease and Desist “TOO SW#%T!” t-shirt.
On last week’s episode of SmackDown Live, “The Chairman Of The Board” Vince McMahon made his return to the blue brand to confront Kevin Owens, who had been attacked by his son, Shane, on SmackDown the previous week. Things didn’t end well for McMahon, however, as “KO” viciously attacked him with a head-butt before hitting a superkick that would put McMahon down for a splash.
When the segment was over, McMahon was busted open on his forehead from the head-butt from Owens, leaving many to speculate as to whether or not Vince bladed for the segment. Per a report from Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE officials are internally denying that claim. Some have suggested that the segment was planned to make Vince bleed, who perhaps bladed backstage before the altercation and covered it up with nu-skin. The cut would reopen easily after the head-butt from Owens.
Meltzer noted that WWE’s statement was similar to those that the company has released after Brock Lesnar matches, which often include blood as well. People involved in planning the segment weren’t talking about McMahon being busted open before the segment either. He also noted that while he was watching the segment on a big screen, the close-ups showed a line on McMahon’s head before the head-butt, which is where the blood came from after Owens delivered the blow. There was also more blood than what would be expected from an average head-butt.
Discussion: Do you think McMahon bladed before the segment and planned to bleed?
Former WWE Universal and United States Champion Kevin Owens recently did an interview with The Pueblo Chieftan to talk about his segment with Vince McMahon on SmackDown Live last week, in which he attacked “The Chairman Of The Board” bloody. He also promoted the WWE’s upcoming Live Event in Pueblo, Colorado on Monday, October 2nd. You can check out the highlights here:
His attack segment on Vince McMahon last week on SmackDown Live:
“That was my first time being in the ring with Vince McMahon. For a lifelong WWE fan, it was pretty special — definitely a moment in my career I never really thought would happen and one that I will remember for a very long time.
“And one I think Vince will remember as well.”
Visiting such a small town in Pueblo:
“I do really do enjoy going to smaller towns like Pueblo. And I often wonder why we don’t get to do it more often. WWE Live is a spectacle like no other. So if the Pueblo fans want us to come back more, you should come on out and be loud, because WWE will take notice.”
Read Owens’ full interview with The Pueblo Chieftan by visiting this link here.
WWE ran a storyline on Tuesday’s SmackDown where Kevin Owens delivered a head butt to WWE CEO Vince McMahon that left McMahon bleeding from the forehead.
The company has been seriously restricting the use of blood on their television for years, even fining some performers like Batista for using blood in a match without permission. The usual method of drawing blood in a match is by using a small, concealed blade to make a small cut on the forehead, but that wasn’t the case for Vince’s blood on Tuesday.
In the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that Vince getting busted open was planned, but he used an unorthodox method to achieve the effect. It appeared that Owens’ head butt is what cut open McMahon, but insiders believe the cut was actually made with a small razor immediately before Vince went out in front of the crowd. The cut would have then been sealed with some type of adhesive product, so Owens just had to hit McMahon hard enough to take off the adhesive and re-open the cut.
WWE.com continued the storyline on Wednesday, issuing a statement that McMahon left the arena without giving a comment and refusing to be looked at by medical staff.
– After weeks of feuding with Brian Kendrick, Jack Gallagher apparently turned heel on this week’s episode of 205 Live. During Kendrick’s main event match with Cedric Alexander, Gallagher hit the ring and attacked Alexander, leading to the disqualification.
Gallagher first confronted Kendrick, but then beat up Cedric before kicking him out of the ring. The show ended after Gallagher offered a handshake to Kendrick, which Kendrick accepted after hesitating.
– RAW General Manager Kurt Angle and WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan reacted on Twitter to Kevin Owens’ vicious assault on 72-year-old WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon at the conclusion of Tuesday’s SmackDown. The attack came after Mr. McMahon announced Owens will square off against his son Shane inside Hell in a Cell at the upcoming pay-per-view.
Kurt Angle said Owens’ attack on Vince was something that would never happen on his show, while Hogan marveled at WWE’s booking and sees big money in KO.
The headbutt heard around the world. This would never have occurred on my show, under my watch. #Itstruehttps://t.co/0FaFmaFF0b
Kevin Owens brutally attacked WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon at the conclusion of last night’s episode of SmackDown. Before Owens attacked him, Vince McMahon announced that he was reinstating Shane McMahon from his suspension. Vince added that Kevin Owens will face Shane McMahon at WWE Hell in a Cell. Owens then asked McMahon to promise him not to fire him if he beats a McMahon senseless.
Vince gave him his word that he would not fire him and Owens headbutted him. Owens then proceeded to beatdown Mr. McMahon and the attack ended with a massive Frog Splash from Owens. Vince refused medical attention after the match and WWE has released the following statement:
WWE Chairman and CEO Mr. McMahon was on the receiving end of a brutal attack at the hands of Kevin Owens during the shocking conclusion of Sin City SmackDown.
WWE.com has learned that, following the attack, Mr. McMahon did not give comment and refused to be looked at by medical staff.
Stay tuned to WWE.com for more news on this situation as it develops.
In the main event segment of Tuesday’s SmackDown Live from ‘Sin City’ Las Vegas, Kevin Owens came down to the ring and waited for Vince McMahon to join him. Vince’s music hit and he power-walked down the entrance ramp and joined Owens in the ring.
Owens said that Vince was intimidated to be in the ring with him. Vince said he wasn’t intimidated, he was nauseated.
Vince McMahon said that Owens didn’t fight back against Shane last week because Shane was kicking his ass. Vince asked Owens how he has any respect at all when he looks in the mirror. Vince said that if Owens filed the lawsuit against the McMahons, he will fire him. The crowd chanted “yes!” as Vince dared Owens to file the lawsuit.
Vince bragged about never losing a lawsuit and being a billionaire. Owens got pissed off and said that Vince’s son put his hands on him. Vince said that he suspended Shane for not finishing the job the last week. Vince said that he suspended Shane because he didn’t kick Owens’ ass enough.
Vince announced that he was going to reinstate Shane and that there is going to be a match between Shane and Owens. Vince then announced that the match will be inside a Hell in a Cell. The crowd once again chanted “yes!”. Owens stated that he needed Vince to promise that he will not be fired if he beats a McMahon senseless. Vince said that Owens has his word that he will not be fired. Owens then shook Vince’s hand and headbutted him. Vince’s head was cut open and Owens grabbed the microphone.
Owens said that Vince just gave his word that he can beat a McMahon senseless. Vince got back to his feet and Owens punched him the face. A referee came down to the ring but Owens continued the attack. Owens then booted Vince in the ribs and more referees got into the ring. Vince got back to his feet and Owens hit him with a Superkick. Owens then threw a referee out of the ring and climbed to the top rope. Owens hit a Frog Splash onto Vince McMahon.
Stephanie McMahon then confronted Kevin Owens on the entrance ramp.
Stephanie then walked down to the ring to help her father. Vince limped up the entrance ramp and fell to his knees. Vince said that his ribs were hurting and Stephanie asked Vince to get on the stretcher but Vince refused. Vince slowly started walking up the entrance ramp as SmackDown went off the air.
WWE Superstar Chris Jericho recently made an appearance on The Other Guys Podcast with Baby Huey and Bimbo Jimbo to talk about his professional wrestling career. Jericho talked about his “Festival Of Friendship” segment with Kevin Owens, where he drew his inspiration from for the angle, and where he ranked it amongst the various other moments in his WWE career. Here are the highlights:
His Festival Of Friendship segment with Kevin Owens:
“I had that idea months earlier, to do a big spectacle with dancing girls and the whole thing, and then it was constantly being changed,” Jericho said. “Even the day of the show it was changed and I didn’t like it and I knew my way was better. I stood up for it, even to the point of calling Vince when he was on a plane in the middle of the air and pitching my case, not taking no for an answer, not allowing my vision to be changed.”
What inspired the segment:
“The ‘Red Wedding’ from Game Of Thrones was something that was really resonating, where you have this brilliant, beautiful and fun moment and then it just goes south in such a quick fashion where you can’t believe it,” Jericho said. “That, to me, was the brilliance of it.”
Where he’d rank the moment amongst the various others in his WWE career:
“It was definitely one of my favorite things that I’ve done, maybe even the crowning jewel of what I’ve done in all these years being in the WWE,” he said.
You can listen to Jericho’s interview on The Other Guys Podcast by visiting this link here.
Former WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens recently spoke with the Argus Leader and discussed the possibility of working as a babyface in WWE.
Owens, one of the best pure heels in the company, says he’s up for the challenge of portraying a ‘good guy’ if the fans get behind him.
“I don’t really know as far as any ideas or plans that anybody would have for that. I think I can make anything work. If I can get people to boo me, then I can get people to cheer for me if I want. I’d be up for the challenge.”
Kevin Owens is also one of the best talkers in WWE and commented on how scripted the promos are.
“I’m sure other performers get different guidelines, and I think it’s a day-by-day scenario of who gets to have more freedom than other people. We always get help with our interviews from our writers, but you learn to find ways to get your own credits instead of using somebody else’s words.”
Not everybody is able to think on their feet and cut a good unscripted promo, but Owens knows he can improvise if given the chance and does incorporate some of his own ideas on the mic.
“Some people are good at it, and other people aren’t as good. But the people who are good at it usually get more leeway of how to speak and what to say because the fact they can carry an interview. I always know where I’m going, and I know what they want me to deliver. But I do get to put my own spin on it most of the time.”
Kevin Owens on not getting his rematch for the Universal Championship
Kevin Owens noted last night on SmackDown that he became Universal Champion one year ago and then started to complain about not having the United States Championship anymore on SmackDown. Owens lost the Universal Championship to Goldberg at WWE Fastlane leading into WrestleMania 33 and never received a rematch for the title.
Shinsuke Nakamura on his debut, getting an RKO 15 years later
On last night’s episode of SmackDown, Shinsuke Nakamura teamed up with Randy Orton to face WWE Champion Jinder Mahal and Rusev. Orton and Nakamura were victorious and the two celebrated in the ring. Orton then planted Nakamura with an RKO out of nowhere. Randy Orton will face Shinsuke Nakamura next week on SmackDown. The winner of that match will go on to face Jinder Mahal for the WWE Championship.
Nakamura tweeted out today that he made his debut 15 years ago in Japan. He followed it up with a GIF of him getting an RKO last night as SmackDown went off the air.
#Aug29th …15 years ago today in Japan. Shinsuke Nakamura debut at Nihon Budokan.
Former WWE Champion Sid Vicious recently sat down with Hannibal TV for a shoot interview. During his interview Vicious offered his thoughts on former WWE Universal and United States Champion Kevin Owens. Sid stated that he wasn’t a fan of Owens’ look, weight, and the fact that he wrestles with a shirt on. Vicious noted that Owens being one of the WWE’s top guys must mean business in bad:
“I see people like Kevin Owens and this [Shinsuke Nakamura] guy and these other people like this. I see that and I’m going, ‘Business has got to be bad,” Vicious said. “Or they’re at a point where they don’t care, that’s the only thing I know.”
Sid then went on to praise “The Big Dog” Roman Reigns and said that the former Shield member is ‘light years’ ahead of “KO”:
“I think he’s one of the better talents they’ve got,” Vicious said of Reigns. “He looks credible, he loos good, he’s got a good energy. If we’re gonna compare him to anybody, let’s compare him to the fat guy in a t-shirt Kevin Owens. I think he’s light-years ahead of that guy.”
When asked for his thoughts on current WWE Champion Jinder Mahal, Vicious simply said “I think he’s doing a good job.” Vicious actually wrestled Mahal 10 years ago, however, he has no recollection of that match-up.
AJ Styles and Kevin Owens have been feuding with each other over the United States title for a while now, though now it appears that Owens will be moving away from the title picture soon.
According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE has plans for Baron Corbin to have a rivalry with Styles for the coveted Championship in the upcoming time.
This is said to be one of the reasons why Corbin was made a special guest referee during the United States Championship match at SmackDown Live this week.
Regarding Kevin, Shane McMahon had stated that his match this past Tuesday would be Owens’ last opportunity to capture the United States title as long as AJ is the champion.
So it’s expected that the former Universal Champion will be moving away from the US title picture and he will be entering his rumored feud with Shane McMahon in the upcoming time.
Per Observer, the rivalry between the SmackDown Commissioner and the former Raw star is expected to lead to a Team Owens vs Team Shane match at the Survivor Series PPV.
Though it’s worth mentioning here that due to the repetitive reports of Baron Corbin having backstage heat, it’s hard to believe that Corbin would actually be winning the belt.
Instead, he appears to be a challenger for the former WWE Champion’s title until WWE decides to put the belt on someone else.
Former WWE & WCW World Champion Sid Vicious was recently interviewed by Hannibal TV and gave his thoughts on the state of WWE’s roster.
As a perennial main event performer, Sid has been in many locker rooms. With all of his years in the business, he thinks he knows who is capable of drawing money – and he’s not impressed with Kevin Owens or that “Yakamora guy.”
“This is the thing. It reminds me of the time I left, when business was hot. I came back as Sycho Sid, and I was looking at people like Rex King and Steve Doll, and I’m going, ‘Hold on. I know these guys and they’re not money people. What’s going on?’ When I got there, I saw business was that bad. I hate sayin’ it, but I see people like Kevin Owens and this Yakamora guy, and these other people like this. When I see that, I’m going, ‘Business has gotta be bad, or they’re at a point where they don’t care.’ That’s all I know.”
Sid also commented on Roman Reigns, saying he’s light years ahead of Kevin Owens.
“I think [Reigns] is one of the better talents they’ve got. He looks credible, he looks good, [he’s] a good interview. And if we’re gonna compare him to anybody, let’s just compare him to the last guy you said, the fat guy in the T-shirt, Kevin Owens. There’s no comparison. I think he’s light years ahead of that guy.”
Sid also commented on Jinder Mahal, who he actually wrestled around a decade ago in Canada’s Great North Wrestling promotion. He doesn’t remember their match, but said Mahal is doing a great job.
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.
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.
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.
On this past Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown, John Cena referred to Baron Corbin as a “dumpster fire”. A fan in the audience had a sign that simply read “Baron Corbin is a dumpster fire” and Cena pointed it out. The entire crowd then began chanting “dumpster fire” at Corbin while he was on the entrance ramp. Cena continued to mock Corbin by posting the following photo on Instagram earlier today:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXsYzu6A6pK/
SmackDown General Manager made Cena versus Corbin at WWE SummerSlam official. Cena challenged Corbin to a match on Tuesday night’s SmackDown but Corbin refused. Bryan then emerged from backstage and noted that Corbin clearly wasn’t dressed to wrestle that night and made the match for SummerSlam on August 20th.
Nikki Bella blasts Baron Corbin on Twitter
Corbin posted on Twitter that John Cena insulting him on SmackDown made Cena no better than the trolls on social media. Nikki Bella responded and it led to the following exchange:
And I can't wait to sit front row and see him slap that mouth right off your face!????No one gives & inspires as much as that man does. N
Kevin Owens took to Twitter today to state that he signed with WWE three years ago today and that it has worked out pretty great for everyone. Owens will face AJ Styles at WWE SummerSlam on August 20th. SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon will be the special referee for that match.
NJPW stars The Young Bucks produce a popular YouTube series alongside Bullet Club/Elite member Kenny Omega called ‘Being The Elite.’
The Bucks took the show to Montreal over the weekend and managed to get some of their old friends from WWE on camera, including AJ Styles, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
Matt and Nick Jackson were both appearing in Canada for an International Wrestling Syndicate event, you can check out the latest episode of ‘Being The Elite’ below.
It’s not so often you see longtime rivals Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn working together, but that’s exactly what happened at Saturday night’s WWE live event from Montreal, Canada.
The main event saw WWE Champion Jinder Mahal defend against local hero Sami Zayn. After interference from the Singh Brothers, WWE Hall of Famer Pat Patterson got involved to break up the action. Just as Jinder and his henchmen were about to make Patterson regret his actions, Kevin Owens’ music hit and he charged to the ring. Owens cleaned house and then went face to face with Zayn. Jinder Mahal attacked, but Zayn and Owens joined forces to take out the heels.
What happened after Zayn and Owens took out Jinder Mahal and the Singh Brothers and were left alone in the ring together? Find out below, courtesy of David Bédard:
Shane McMahon looking forward to being the special referee for US Title match at WWE SummerSlam
Smackdown commissioner Shane McMahon was announced as the special referee for the United States Championship match at WWE SummerSlam on August 20th. AJ Styles defended the US Title against Kevin Owens to kick of this week’s episode of SmackDown on Tuesday night. Styles won the match in a controversial manner as Owens accidentally struck referee Mike Chioda. Styles then rolled up Owens for the victory, but Owens’ shoulders were clearly off the mat.
Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan were telling Mike Chioda backstage that he made a huge mistake during the finish of the match and that he should have called for help. Owens then interrupted and flipped out on Chioda. Owens tried to grab Chioda but Shane McMahon got in his face. Shane McMahon gave Owens another shot at the US Title at SummerSlam, but Owens wasn’t satisfied. Owens demanded a capable official and Daniel Bryan suggested Shane McMahon. Owens claimed that McMahon was the most incompetent person on SmackDown, but Shane informed Owens that the only way he will get his rematch is if Shane is the referee. Owens accepted but was visibly frustrated before walking away.
Shane McMahon tweeted out the following a couple of hours ago and said that he back to training and is looking forward to being the referee for the match at WWE SummerSlam:
Back in the ring in the BK. Looking forward to refereeing the US championship match at #SummerSlam.
AJ Styles on his WWE SummerSlam match against Kevin Owens
While this storyline and the fan reaction seems to be focused on Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens, United States Champion AJ Styles tweeted out the following to let everyone know what he is focused on:
A lotta talk about the guy wearing the black and white stripes but I'm focused on the red, white, & blue title on my shoulder. #SummerSlampic.twitter.com/zrNRXHAltb
Last night in the SmackDown main-event, John Cena faced Shinsuke Nakamura to determine who will face Jinder Mahal at WWE SummerSlam for the WWE Championship. Nakamura planted Cena with an Exploder Suplex during the match and Cena landed on the back of his head.
Nakamura went on to connect with the Kinshasa for the pinfall victory and will now face Jinder Mahal at WWE SummerSlam on August 20th. After the match, Nakamura can be seen saying “I’m sorry” to John Cena. Cena responded with “don’t be sorry” and then shook his hand.
Austin Aries suffered a large orbital socket injury while having a match with Shinsuke Nakamura at an NXT Live event last year. Aries posted the following on Twitter:
Kevin Owens makes joke about Suplex spot on Twitter
It was announced last night that Kevin Owens will get another shot at the United States Championship at WWE SummerSlam. Owens will face AJ Styles and SmackDown commissioner Shane McMahon will be the guest referee. Owens took to Twitter this morning to joke about Cena being dropped on the back of his head during his match against Shinsuke Nakamura last night on SmackDown:
