SmackDown Superstar Kevin Owens has previously shared how he would be open to returning to WWE’s black-and-gold brand, NXT. Turns out that the promotion not only had plans in place for an NXT return. It was also open to sending Owens overseas to NXT UK.
“They’re all extremely talented guys, and I would love to compete with any of those guys. I kinda got to do a bit with Imperium last year, so that was cool,” Owens said in an interview with Metro.co.uk.
“At one point there was a plan for me to go back to NXT at some point last year, which didn’t happen, obviously. But we had even discussed, maybe if that happens, then maybe I could show up on NXT UK and work with all these different people. I’d love to get to do that.”
He joked how “a lot of the NXT UK guys are clearly inspired” by him. Owens pointed to how every week he hears how an NXT UK Superstar shows “shades” of Kevin Owens in their matches. He shared how he loves performing in Europe and that, given a chance, he would love to help “do good stuff” with NXT UK.
Owens made a surprise return to NXT last year during NXT TakeOver: WarGames. He was revealed to be the mystery partner on Team Ciampa. He joined Tommaso Ciampa, Keith Lee, and Dominik Dijakovic as they battled against The Undisputed Era in a WarGames matchup. Thanks to Owens’ help, Team Ciampa managed to defeat the Undisputed Era.
Kevin Owens is scheduled to compete against Roman Reigns at this Sunday’s WWE TLC pay-per-view. The two compete for the WWE Universal Championship in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match.
Owens joined WWE show The Bump, where he shared his plans as he hypothesized over a second run with the gold.
“Imagine what I’ll do when the Universal Title is on the line. When it’s TLC, there’s millions of people watching,” Owens said. “The way this issue has turned out with Roman and I, there’s nothing that I won’t stop at to win this match and make things right, you know. Because of the Universal Title reign that I had before, it’s just not what I wish it would have been. So, maybe there’s a chance here for redemption as well in that aspect.”
Kevin Owens won the WWE Universal Championship during a four-way elimination match for the championship following an injury that forced Finn Balor to vacate the title. He would hold the Universal Championship for 188 days before losing it to Goldberg at 2017’s Fastlane pay-per-view.
Owens is set to face off against Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship at Sunday’s TLC event. The two clash in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs matchup. Reigns will be accompanied by Paul Heyman for the bout.
WWE’s TLC takes place on December 20 from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL.
Kevin Owens recently appeared on WWE’s The Bump where he talked about things like his experience at the commentary desk, how doing commentary full time is a different ball game and more.
During the interview, the former Universal Champion also talked about the late Pat Patterson and discussed his relationship with the WWE legend.
Owens recalled how Patterson was supportive and willing to help everybody and the WWE Hall Of Famer had a mind for wrestling like no one else:
“Pat was something else. I used to think he and I had this connection because we’re French-Candian. He was so supportive and willing to help. I quickly realized that he was actually like that with everybody.
What Daniel Bryan said was true: He would really listen and ask about you and how your family was doing… He would constantly ask how I was doing.” recalled Kevin Owens, “When wrestling was involved, he had a mind like no other. To say he’ll be missed is an understatement.”
The former NXT champion also recalled a story of how Patterson ran down to the ring when Sami Zayn won the NXT title despite everyone trying to stop him.
Apart from this, Kevin Owens offered some big praise to the NXT tag team Ever-Rise saying that he has been a fan of the duo for 15 years. You can check out his full interview in the video below:
Kevin Owens has opened up about original plans that were in place for WrestleMania 34. Owens teamed up with Sami Zayn, competing against Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan. According to Owens, the match was supposed to pit him and Zayn against Shane McMahon and his father, Vince McMahon.
Leading into that matchup, Owens headbutted Vince McMahon on an episode of SmackDown. Reflecting on working with Vince McMahon, Owens revealed how he wished it “led to more.”
“Yeah, that was really cool. I wish it would have led to more, honestly,” Owens confessed in an interview with ITRWrestling.com and SPORF.com. “But who wouldn’t feel that way? I think it could have, and I think it almost did. I really think, at one point, there was a chance that it was going to be me and Sami Zayn against Shane and Vince at WrestleMania – which would have been incredible – but Vince, I remember one of the things he had told me was, ‘I can’t run WrestleMania and focus on a match at the same time.'”
Kevin Owens On Daniel Bryan’s “Perfect Situation”
Kevin Owens explained how Vince McMahon felt the best position for him was backstage, not in the ring. This decision helped deliver a “perfect situation” for Daniel Bryan’s return.
“He got cleared medically and the storyline was already in progress,” Owens explained. “He was already so heavily involved in the storyline just because him and Shane were running SmackDown together, and obviously that was an incredible thing to be a part of Daniel’s return, especially in that building where he won the title at WrestleMania XXX, so it was great.”
Owens admitted he would have liked to have kept Vince McMahon involved in the feud at the time. Alternatively, he would have liked to have continued, furthering an on-screen rivalry with him afterward.
He stressed how being involved with Vince McMahon on television helps to immediately “add credibility” to a Superstar or feud.
Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon would defeat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 34.
There was an entertaining segment during Saturday’s episode of WWE Talking Smack between Paul Heyman and Kevin Owens.
It all started when Heyman shared the respect that he has for Owens and he understands how dangerous Owens is. He brought up being a fan of Owens’ before he got to WWE and even after he joined the company.
Heyman stated that while Owens is the #1 contender to the Universal Title, he sees that Owens is at a crossroads in his career. However, Heyman thinks that if Owens wants to get to the main event level then he would need to go through Roman Reigns.
Owens responded by talking about how Heyman only works for himself and declared himself as being the person to take the Universal Title from Reigns.
Heyman ended the segment before Owens walked off by stating that he has to shake his hand so he doesn’t get smacked as he’s carrying a message. He made Owens know that this wasn’t just business, but he also has to do it on a personal level as well.
With WWE delaying a match between Reigns and Daniel Bryan for the Universal Title, there’s speculation that WWE could book Owens vs. Reigns in a top match at the TLC pay-per-view event next month. That is not confirmed just yet.
Kevin Owens has shared his thoughts on WWE hosting live shows with fans during the coronavirus pandemic. Owens previously took a hiatus from WWE due to coronavirus concerns. He explained how his previous honesty with WWE and Vince McMahon made him feel “comfortable” about the idea of touring.
“I think I would be comfortable [touring in front of fans again] because I’ve been very vocal and very honest with WWE management as far as the virus goes and the measures we’re taking to try and keep it safe and stuff like that,” Owens told Bleacher Report.
“When I wasn’t comfortable with the way things were, I voiced my concerns and they took it seriously and immediately tried to remedy the situation to make sure everyone felt comfortable, including myself. I feel good about how they try to handle everything.”
Owens explained how if the decision to tour is made and fans are allowed to once again attend, he would have to “assess the situation.” He admitted if he didn’t feel comfortable about any aspect of it, he would seek out the right person to talk to.
Right now, however, Kevin Owens confessed he is happy with how WWE is handling everything. He believes WWE would take the same safety measures on the road with them if they resumed touring. If they did, he shared he would happily be there to perform.
Kevin Owens did an interview with Bleacher Report where he spoke about a wide range of topics including this year’s WWE Draft.
According to the RAW star, he thinks this a chance to have an opportunity to get a fresh start.
“I feel like I give it my all, I deliver every time I’m on the air, but for some reason, I feel like I always end up in a situation where I could always use a fresh start after a little while. I always try my best to do that, so it always helps to get a new platform. Here I am again one year later, and last year, I was so desperate to move to Raw and I got moved to Raw. Now, I’m pretty desperate to move to SmackDown because, for some reason.”
He stated that he doesn’t feel things are working out for him on Raw and it might be better on SmackDown. He admitted to feeling the same thing last year while on SmackDown.
“I’m sure this year will be no different, [but] I feel frustrated [with] how far into the draft I get picked. Last year was a new low. I was picked so late. I was very angry, but you know, I’m probably one of many who feel that way when they’re drafted. The drafts are actually always kind of stressful because you don’t know where you’re going until they announce it on TV or the supplemental draft that they do online after, so you don’t know who you’re going to be with.”
Owens stated that it’s different now because of the pandemic and WWE not traveling at all and that might be for a while. He said that when he’s traveling on the road, you don’t know if your road partner will be on the same show as you or if friends will be on the same brand.
He said that it’s a big deal before pointing out how wrestlers never know anything going into the draft. Thus, it’s a stressful day.
WWE RAW Superstar Kevin Owens has praised Rey Mysterio, labeling the luchador as one of the greatest of all time.
In a recent interview with ESPN.com, Owens shared how, alongside Shawn Michaels, he believes Mysterio to be the greatest wrestler to ever step foot into the squared circle.
Owens explained how Mysterio is a great person and that anybody who knew him would say the same thing. He added how “[…] it means even more when it’s a guy who’s achieved that level of success, who’s achieved the kind of milestones that he’s had.”
He explained how Rey Mysterio’s humility and continued in-ring skills are undeniable traits that drew Owens to Mysterio. This is true for him not only as a fan but as a person. Owens added how Mysterio is still so humble “even though he would have any and all reasons not to be.”
Kevin Owens On Learning From Rey Mysterio
Kevin Owens shared how he was “pumped at the prospect” of working with Mysterio upon his return in 2018. He added how just being around Mysterio and learning from him was something he had looked forward to. According to Owens, watching Mysterio and seeing the kind of person he is influenced and inspired him.
“I just watch him, the kind of person he is, and I learn because that’s the kind of legacy I want to leave behind in wrestling,” Owens said. “His son is now getting involved and it’s been great to see his son around. He’s everything a wrestling veteran should be.”
Rey Mysterio will face Seth Rollins this Sunday at The Horror Show at Extreme Rules. The two will see their feud culminate in an “Eye for an Eye” matchup.
The Horror Show at Extreme Rules takes place on Sunday, July 19. The event will be held at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
Kevin Owens has made his return to WWE television after a brief hiatus.
Owens did so on Monday’s episode of WWE RAW. He hosted “The Kevin Owens Show” segment to interview Seth Rollins to further the feud between Rollins and Rey Mysterio.
Rollins played up injuring Owens in their latest encounter. Owens gave Rollins a t-shirt to let him be reminded when he beat Rollins at WrestleMania 36.
This eventually led to Owens replacing Aleister Black as Mysterio’s tag team partner for later on in the show against Rollins and Murphy. The winning team gets to pick the stipulation for the Rollins vs. Mysterio contest at Extreme Rules.
Last month, it was reported and later confirmed by Owens himself that he decided to remove himself from television as he was against working WWE TV tapings in Orlando, Florida at the WWE Performance Center.
It was first reported by Dave Meltzer that Owens’ wife’s grandfather passed away from COVID-19 prior to Owens’ decision to stay away from the tapings.
During a recent appearance on WWE’s The Bump episode, he stated that he decided it was a wise move to stay with his family after a developmental talent had tested positive for COVID-19.
When the grandfather passed away, it was reported that his family became concerned about him working the TV tapings. While away from WWE, Owens traveled with his family to Tennessee to stay in a cabin.
Kevin Owens made an appearance on Wednesday’s episode of WWE’s The Bump where he opened up on his run in NXT and the feelings that he had to leave the brand.
Owens recalled finishing up in NXT after having a stint where he lost a Ladder Match to Finn Balor at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn in 2015.
That was in August. Although he had been working on the main roster since May against the likes of John Cena and Cesaro, he continued to work the main roster part-time and NXT full-time.
“I always try to keep my emotions in check until I am just by myself. For some reason, that night I kind of broke down on the apron because I realized it was my last NXT match and it really made me sad.
Obviously, to be moving on to the main roster, I loved that part of it but all of me just wished I could have done both, I didn’t want to leave NXT. I didn’t want to leave the people I was working with and everybody was so close.”
Owens continued by talking about how everyone was part of this movement and trying to grow the NXT brand.
The trend of WWE stars deciding against working TV tapings while the world deals with the coronavirus continue.
Kevin Owens did not attend Wednesday’s WWE RAW TV tapings, per a report at Fightful. Owens had communicated to WWE that he wouldn’t be at the set of tapings on Wednesday morning.
Owens’ decision came just two days after it was revealed that a WWE developmental talent had tested positive for COVID-19 after working last Tuesday’s TV taping.
The word going around backstage is that Owens expressed his decision respectfully and he was not pressured to participate once he spoke up.
WWE is hoping to have Owens back by the next set of tapings. However, his status is unclear at this point.
Roman Reigns was the first star to decide against working the tapings and followed by Sami Zayn, who was eventually stripped of the Intercontinental Title.
All Elite Wrestling’s Arn Anderson believes that WWE missed an opportunity to turn Kevin Owens into one of their top babyfaces. Speaking on his ARN podcast, Anderson spoke about how WWE and Vince McMahon should have leaned into the reaction Owens received after he defeated John Cena at 2015’s Elimination Chamber event.
“If you’re going to listen to the audience throughout this thing, then Kevin Owens became a star that night,” Anderson explained. “If you don’t listen, no matter what you have booked or written down for the next 3 weeks, don’t you switch your plans too: here’s my new baby face?”
Anderson highlighted how Kevin Owens is capable of delivering both in the ring and on the mic. He stressed how he is a perfect anti-hero and can play an everyday man that packs a lot of power: “[Kevin Owens] doesn’t look like he can pop-up power bomb Mark Henry, but he can, I’ve seen it, more than once.”
He spoke about how the audience reaction to Kevin Owens was so positive, WWE should have switched gears “the very next day.” Anderson noted how by beating Cena acted as a major launching pad for his main roster debut and that WWE should have given the fans what they wanted to see.
Following his successful Elimination Chamber victory, Kevin Owens would subsequently lose to Cena at both Money in The Bank and Battleground. Having him lose remains a decision that Anderson feels hurt Kevin Owens initial push and momentum. He explained how Owens never should have lost those two matches and that his push should have been “first class, steam roll, straight ahead.”
Kevin Owens defeated Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 36 but hasn’t been part of WWE programming since. As it turns out, Owens suffered an ankle injury during the match that has sidelined him ever since. Meanwhile, the wrestler Owens beat at WrestleMania now has a WWE Championship match against Drew McIntyre at Money in the Bank.
Owens confirmed his ankle injury during an interview with RDS.
“It’s special that we were considered essential in the state of Florida, but maybe it’s a mentality where they think people need such distraction,” a translated quote from Owens reads.
“The great thing about WWE is that it doesn’t require us to be there if we don’t want to. That’s why in the last two weeks I have not been there because I preferred to be at home with my family,” Owens continued.
Owens doesn’t seem to be doing too bad during this time, however.
WrestleMania 36 with Owens’ 4th time wrestling at the event. He was involved in a 7-way ladder match for the IC title at WM32 (won by Zack Ryder.) At WrestleMania 33, he defeated Chris Jericho for the United States title. At WM34, he teamed with Sami Zayn and lost to Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan.
Inside The Ropes has been forced to reschedule their Kevin Owens ‘One Night Only’ event due to the coronavirus pandemic. The show was intended to take place on March 20 at The Engine Works in Glasgow, Scotland. It will now take place on June 5 at the same location.
They released an official statement via their Twitter account. In it, they share how they have been in “constant communication” with WWE and Kevin Owens.
Ultimately, they have made the decision to postpone. This was done in order to ensure the safety of their fans, staff and Owens himself.
“We’ve been in constant communication with WWE and Kevin in regards to going ahead with the show. While we would have loved to have delivered the show next Friday, given the continuing escalation of the virus, we are left with no choice but to postpone the show until Friday June 5th 2020.”
They stress their commitment to delivering this event, but wanted to make sure they are able to host it in a “safe capacity for all parties involved.”
The coronavirus has forced several events, conventions, tours and more to postpone, reschedule or cancel. At the time of writing, WWE remains committed to delivering WrestleMania 36. The company do have “contingency plans” in place, however, in case things worsen.
Tampa Bay officials met with WWE last Thursday to discuss viable options. Still, it was noted by Hillsborough Commissioner Les Miller that Tampa may have to “pull the plug” on ‘Mania if WWE does not deliver a firm plan of action.
As previously reported, this past week on WWE Raw, we saw Kevin Owens – who has been feuding with Seth Rollins for a while now – being joined by WWE Legend the Big Show.
Big Show was revealed to be the surprise partner of Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe for their six-man tag team match against Seth Rollins and The Authors of Pain on Raw in Oklahoma City.
WWE then announced that Kevin Owens, along with Big Show and Samoa Joe would go against Rollins and The Authors of Pain in a “Fist Fight” match on next week’s WWE Raw.
The “Fist Fight” match is unheard of in WWE, and fans were confused on what the stipulations and rules are behind this type of match. Not only fans, but it seems like even one of the participants in the said match, Kevin Owens himself is not sure what the whole Fist Fight thing is all about.
He posted a tweet asking WWE to let him know the rules of the match. Owens also added that he tried speaking to Vince McMahon regarding the match but he was put on hold for over five hours.
WWE Now made a video on the “first-ever Fist Fight in WWE history”, but they never explained any rules behind it. Ryan Pappolla just talks about the intrigue behind the match and never really touches on what to expect from the fight.
WWE announced the match on their website after Raw, and it reads:
“We’ve already seen what happens when Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe & Big Show battle Seth Rollins & AOP in a match: utter and complete chaos. So might as well make it official for next week. As revealed at the end of Raw, the two trios will go head-to-head in what’s being billed not as a bout but as the first-ever “fistfight” in WWE history. The circumstances are fitting since these are some of the Superstars most likely to take the figurative gloves off in a match anyway. Might as well make it official.”
WWE Superstar Kevin Owens is currently affiliated with the promotion’s red brand, RAW. Despite this brand association, Owens made a recent return to NXT. He joined Team Ciampa in their efforts against The Undisputed Era. The two teams clashed in a WarGames match this past November during WWE’s NXT TakeOver: WarGames event. Now, on the latest edition of WWE show The Bump, the former Universal Champion addressed the possibility of returning to the black-and-gold brand.
Kevin Owens’ Conditions
Owens compared the NXT Championship to the WWE Championship and Universal Championship. He noted how the way that NXT now presents itself as a third brand as opposed to developmental has helped to elevate the prestige of the belt.
He explained how, if WWE officials approached him and informed him he was to return to NXT, he would be immediately okay with that. If, however, they added that he would be returning to NXT for a championship opportunity, that would be an offer he would immediately jump on.
Returning To NXT
Several Superstars have since returned to NXT after time on WWE’s RAW and SmackDown rosters. Most notably Finn Balor, who quickly reinserted himself into the NXT Championship picture upon his return. Both Fandango and Tyler Breeze have also found themselves back in Orlando for NXT duties.
Kevin Owens recently teamed with Samoa Joe and a returning Big Show on this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW. They defeated Seth Rollins and the Authors of Pain via disqualification.
WWE Superstar and New Day member Big E recently discussed the Kevin Owens/’Big O’ angle that took place on WWE television earlier this year. Big E’s comments were part of the latest episode of The New Day: Feel The Power podcast available via WWE and Endeavour audio.
Kevin Owens
Kevin Owens made his return from injury back during WrestleMania season. There had been reports that Owens was due to face Daniel Bryan at ‘Mania, however the swell of support for Kofi Kingston meant that plans were changed late in the day. In April Kevin Owens ‘joined’ The New Day whilst Big E was rehabbing an injury. Kevin Owens brutally attacked Kingston and Xavier Woods, turning heel on the April 23rd episode of SmackDown Live and starting a feud with Kingston over the WWE Championship.
Big O
During the latest episode of New Day’s official WWE podcast, Big E talked about Kevin Owens joining the stable and how he felt whilst on the sidelines. “I’m in the bed just as I’ve had my surgery and I turn on the TV. And, I know you guys [Kofi and Xavier] have to do what you’ve got to do. But I see you two and there’s ‘Big O’ Kevin Owens doing MY intro that I came up with and doing my tag move with you.”
“Laugh it Off”
Big E elaborated further, saying “I get it, I just suck it up and be a man and like laugh it off but it feels like a slap in the face to see someone in your position and just doing this. I felt disrespected. I obviously know you guys [Kofi and Xavier] didn’t come up with it so there’s no issue with you. But from a larger picture just that you’re alone in a hospital room, briefly, but I was alone and I was there and just everything goes on without you and you just move on and does anyone care? Does it even matter? And you feel very alone in this situation.”
Kevin Owens was a guest on the most recent episode of Corey Graves’ new podcast “WWE After the Bell.” During the interview, Owens detailed how he began using the stunner as a finish as well as Stone Cold Steve Austin’s reaction when he asked him if he could begin using the move.
“I had a conversation with (Steve Austin) years ago actually,” Owens said when Graves asked him if he spoke to Austin regarding using the move. “I want to say it was in 2016. This is the thing, people were doing the stunner – you know, you’d have the odd guy do the stunner in a random match as just something they were doing and that was it, nobody was using it as a trademark but I had seen guys use a stunner here and there but not to the extent that I felt it should be used.”
Owens continued to talk about how when he asked Austin about it, Austin was happy because Owens wanted to use the move as his finisher.
“I went to Steve and I asked him if I could use it and he was very happy that I asked him, you know me giving him the respect of it, but more than anything he was happy that somebody asked him because he’s like ‘you want to use it as your finisher?’ I’m like ‘yes.’ He’s like ‘God, it’s about time, I can’t believe nobody’s tried this yet.'”
Owens would continue to say it took a while for him to be allowed to use the move. He also mentioned sneaking it into a match with Roman Reigns before receiving permission from management to use the move. This part of the conversation between Owens and Graves can be viewed in the player below:
The WWE Draft 2019 has kicked off on this week’s Friday Night SmackDown, and we saw a total of 20 selections on the first day of the Draft.
Among these, was SmackDown’s Kevin Owens. He was selected by Monday Night Raw as the 13th overall pick in the third round of the draft.
After SmackDown, Owens published a short post on his Twitter, writing “Round 3.” Shortly after, he expanded on what he meant. Owens wasn’t too happy that he wasn’t selected until the third round.
Kevin revealed that WWE has decided to not post the footage of an interview where he was asked to give his thoughts on the draft, because he appeared to be “angry”.
Last night, the @WWE digital team asked me for my thoughts after I was drafted to #Raw.
I gave them a very honest, heartfelt answer. They decided not to post the footage because I appeared to be angry.
Kevin Owens was chosen by Raw in the third round of the draft behind Drew McIntyre, Ricochet, Bobby Lashley, and Lacey Evans.
For the past few months, Kevin Owens was mostly involved in a storyline with Shane McMahon on SmackDown, where most recently he won a Ladder match against Shane. The match’s stipulation was of “loser leaves WWE”, and the belief is that this was done to not only wrap up the program but to get McMahon off of television.
The storyline between Owens and McMahon started on an episode of SmackDown Live in August where Owens cut a promo about how McMahon takes up too much TV time and nobody wanted to see him on TV all the time.
Shane hasn’t been seen on SmackDown since and now Owens is looking to begin a new chapter on Raw.
Kevin Owens will remain on WWE SmackDown for the foreseeable future as he has defeated Shane McMahon.
Owens did so when he won a Ladder Match on the premiere episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown, which marked the 20 Anniversary Show, on FOX from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The stipulation was of “loser leaves WWE.” The belief is that this was done to not only wrap up the program but to get McMahon off of television.
The storyline between Owens and McMahon started on an episode of SmackDown Live in August where Owens cut a promo about how McMahon takes up too much TV time and nobody wanted to see him on TV all the time.
Many fans thought that this was similar to the famous CM Punk “pipebomb” promo from a few years ago.
Owens also said in the promo that having to listen to Shane being called the Best in the World every week makes him want to bang his head on the table every week.
This led to Owens beating McMahon in a singles match at the WWE SummerSlam pay-per-view event in August.
Fast forward to last month, Owens was “fired” after McMahon tapped out to Chad Gable in their King Of The Ring semi-final Match where Owens was serving as the special guest referee.
It appears that WWE is following through in removing Shane McMahon from on-screen action. According to WrestlingNews.co, the current plan is to have Shane McMahon lose to Kevin Owens in their forthcoming ladder match. The two are scheduled to clash in a “loser leaves WWE” grudge match during SmackDown Live’s debut on FOX.
“I was told that the feud will end with Owens winning and McMahon no longer being involved as an authority figure,” WrestlingNews’ Paul Davis said. He explained the reasoning is because “[…] WWE is going to present a more sports-like product with more conclusive finishes and less interference from non-wrestling characters.”
There has been months-long speculation that Shane McMahon would be phased out of featuring on-screen. Kevin Owens’ promo highlighted the amount of time Shane took away from current SmackDown talent. His sentiments was said to have been based in reality. His use of bullet points in order to get his point across has been held in high regard.
Owens is one of the few Superstars given more free rein when it comes to his promo opportunities, though more have apparently been given greater freedom recently including Rey Mysterio, Bayley and ‘The Boss’ Sasha Banks.
Kevin Owens and Shane McMahon battle in their “loser leaves WWE” ladder match on October 4th. SmackDown’s FOX debuts also coincides with the blue brands 20th Anniversary.
A new match has been announced for the upcoming WWE SmackDown FOX premiere episode.
It appears that the blowoff to the Shane McMahon vs. Kevin Owens feud is upon us. During Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown Live, it was revealed that Owens and McMahon will battle in a Ladder Match at this show with the stipulation of “loser leaves WWE.”
This feud has been going on for several weeks now. The original belief was that this match would take place at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view event. With WWE already having two gimmick matches (Hell in a Cell), the stipulation makes sense in storyline.
However, WWE has switched it to this show. Owens had been fired and threatened a lawsuit against McMahon.
Next Friday’s SmackDown FOX premiere episode takes place from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Here is the updated line-up for the episode, which will also be the SmackDown 20th Anniversary special:
Brock Lesnar vs. WWE Champion Kofi Kingston
RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley and Sasha Banks
Kevin Owens vs. Shane McMahon in a Ladder Match
What are your thoughts on this match being added to the card? Sound off in the comment section.
WWE and Shane McMahon have provided a storyline update on Kevin Owens’ firing from the company. According to WWE’s update, Shane McMahon has decided to allow Owens to participate on upcoming house show events in the Philippines, China, and Honolulu, Hawaii.
“Although Owens will be part of WWE’s upcoming WWE Live Events tour, his future on the blue brand remains unclear. Will we soon see Owens back on SmackDown LIVE, or is Shane-O-Mac setting Owens up for an even bigger fall?” WWE’s statement reads.
Shane McMahon Tweeted out that he will allow Owens to compete on the upcoming house show tour earlier today.
While considering a resolution to this ludicrous lawsuit, I will allow @FightOwensFight to perform on @WWE’s upcoming tour of The Philippines, China, and Honolulu, Hawaii.
Earlier today, he commented on his time in NXT ahead of the brand’s debut on the USA Network tonight.
“I didn’t get to spend as much time there as I would have liked to but @WWENXT will always feel like home for me. It’s full of good and very talented people, both in and out of the ring, and everyone there has worked so hard to get to this point. Tonight is going to be special,” Owens Tweeted.
WWE’s black-and-gold brand NXT debuts on USA Network this week. Ahead of the brand’s move, Triple H took part in an NXT media call. One of the topics brought up was the rumor that Kevin Owens may return to NXT after being fired from SmackDown by Shane McMahon.
During the call, Triple H added to the speculation to the rumor by commenting on how Kevin Owens is a great talent. He stated he would love to have him back on NXT, explaining that he doesn’t see any barriers that would stop him from appearing or moving back. That same media call saw Triple H state there is no up or down progression anymore, just lateral movement between brands.
Owens In Orlando
According to PWInsider.com, it is expected that Owens will be in Orlando this week for September 18th where he will appear for NXT.
It’s not known at this point in time whether his return is a long-term plan or a short stay to help shine main roster talent onto WWE’s development brand. Regardless, Owens is apparently a part of NXT’s plans for their USA Network debut.
Owens teased a return to the brand in a recent social media post. The letters he tweeted corresponded with the alphabet, translating to NXT.
This week’s episode of SmackDown Live saw Kevin Owens
getting fired from his job and the former champion is now teasing a return to
NXT.
Shane McMahon fired Kevin Owens during the main event
segment of SmackDown and after the show; Kevin made a tweet, teasing a very
interesting possibility.
Owens tweeted the numbers “14-24-20” as seen below, which can be converted to NXT if each of the number is replaced with the corresponding letters in the alphabet:
This realization has started the rumors that the former NXT
Champion might return to the Black and Yellow brand, possibly when the show
moves to USA Network.
The main event of this week’s SmackDown Live saw a returning
Shane McMahon taking on Chad Gable in the semi-finals of the King Of The Ring
tournament.
McMahon appointed Kevin the special guest referee for the
match and told that he would revoke the $100,000 fine if the former Universal
Champion helps him win the match.
Owens, however, did not help the Best In The World. After he lost the match against Gable, Shane unleashed an attack on the former NXT Star and the segment ended with McMahon firing him.
Kevin Owens made his NXT debut back in December 2014. He had
a pretty successful run in the territory and he won the NXT Championship not
long after his debut. Kevin made his last NXT appearance back in August 2015.
With NXT moving to USA Network on September 18th, it would make sense for WWE to send the former Universal Champion back for a short run to add some star power to the show and give the casual audience a familiar name to tune in.
However whether or not it actually happens will be revealed
later and we’ll have to keep an eye on Owens’ actions to know if he is actually
moving back to NXT.
