Kevin Owens Returns on SmackDown, Replaces Kofi Kingston at Fastlane
SmackDown Live started with Kofi Kingston and Daniel Bryan in the ring to sign the contract for their match at Fastlane, but things didn’t exactly go according to plan. Before Kofi could sign, Vince McMahon interrupted and snatched the opportunity away only to award it to a returning Kevin Owens who will now face Daniel Bryan at Fastlane.
Since being revealed on SmackDown as the last minute replacement for Mustafa Ali in the Elimination Chamber, Kofi Kingston has quickly reminded fans of the 11-year veteran’s skills. Kingston came very close to victory at Elimination Chamber, but ultimately failed to do so on that night.
Last week on SmackDown, it was revealed that Daniel Bryan would get the one-on-one championship opportunity he has longed for over the last 11 years. That was all ready to be confirmed tonight in a signing moderated by Stephanie McMahon and Shane McMahon, but WWE‘s Chairman threw a wrench into things.
Just before Kofi could sign the contract, Vince McMahon came out and announced that he’d chosen a more blockbuster and “more deserving” name to face Daniel Bryan at Fastlane. After spending several months on the shelf, Kevin Owens has finally returned to WWE and was immediately chosen as the replacement for Kofi Kingston at Fastlane.
To the surprise of absolutely no one, the reaction from fans has been fast and furious. The New Day exhibited plenty of anger as they left the ring at what had just been done, whereas Kevin Owens has politely slid into his new position.
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Backstage, we even saw Kevin Owens approach Stephanie McMahon and Shane McMahon. Owens requested the opportunity to team with Kofi Kingston, who Owens reiterated was “just as deserving,” to take on Daniel Bryan and Rowan later on tonight. Stephanie and Shane said they’d take it under advisement, but it’s a match we could still see.
He’s only been back for maybe half an hour, and Kevin Owens has already nestled into the master manipulator role he so perfectly occupied before having to go on the shelf due to injury. The man who was once hand-picked by Triple H to become the Universal Champion has now been hand-picked by Vince McMahon.
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Owens is as polite and kind about the situation as you’d expect, but his deeper plans still bubble just under the surface. Whether he’s looking to get under the skin of the man he replaced, Daniel Bryan, or both, every action from Kevin Owens has a purpose. As frustrating as it is to see Kofi Kingston’s moment stolen from him, it’s great to see Kevin Owens back on SmackDown.