WWE SmackDown Grades: Kevin Owens Crashes The Party

1. Kevin Owens And Kofi Kingston vs. Daniel Bryan And Rowan

Everyone was excited to see Kofi Kingston compete against Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship at Fastlane.  However, after the shocking turn of events earlier in last night’s show, that match was quickly and swiftly taken off the table courtesy of Mr. McMahon.

The Chairman announced that Kevin Owens would make his in-ring return from injury at Fastlane and replace Kofi in the WWE Championship match.  Kofi and his fellow New Day members were understandably upset, but Owens approached Shane and Stephanie McMahon backstage and asked to team with Kofi to face Bryan and his lackey Rowan later in the night.

The match was made official and that was the main event last night.  Many wondered if Owens and Kingston could co-exist given how things turned out earlier in the night, but Kofi’s professionalism was high throughout and there was not even one chemistry issue between these two.  Bryan and Rowan worked well together in their own right, but it wouldn’t be enough in the end.

It came down to KO and The New Daniel Bryan and after a stunner that would have made Steve Austin proud, Owens pinned the WWE Champion to get the win for his team.  This was a stellar match that was exciting throughout, but seeing Owens and Kingston co-exist was a bit surprising and it feels like Owens might remain a babyface for the first time on the main roster.

Kofi is far from done in this scenario, but KO has a big opportunity at Fastlane to become the WWE Champion for the first time in his career.

Final Grade: B+