Image: WWE
Kevin Owens stood tall over Universal Champion Roman Reigns to close last night’s episode of SmackDown.
Ahead of their title match at the Royal Rumble, Owens and Reigns brawled on SmackDown last night. When Reigns went for a Superman punch, Owens countered and hit a stunner. Owens continued to attack Reigns, gave him another stunner outside of the ring, and then hit a pop-up powerbomb through the announce table.
Last night’s show built to what was supposed to be a match between Paul Heyman and Adam Pearce. Heyman issued the challenge in the opening segment after Reigns said Pearce disrespected them. But before the match could start, Heyman faked an injury and told Pearce the card is subject to change. Heyman then introduced Reigns as Pearce’s new opponent. Pearce had done the same thing last week when announcing Owens as Reigns’ new Royal Rumble challenger.
It had been claimed before the Heyman-Pearce match that Reigns left the ThunderDome earlier in the night. It was also noted on the show that Owens was told he couldn’t get into the building because Reigns pulled some strings to make sure he couldn’t be there. Video then aired of a standout promo from Owens. He explained that he’ll never stop fighting because his grandfathers refused to stop fighting when battling illnesses that should have made their lives a lot shorter than they were. Owens said the biggest regret he’ll always have is that he didn’t make it to WWE in time for them to see it.
Owens is challenging for Reigns’ Universal Championship in a Last Man Standing match at the Royal Rumble on Sunday, January 31.
More coverage from last night —
Quarterfinals set for WWE NXT men’s Dusty Classic
LeRae & Hartwell advance in WWE NXT women’s Dusty Classic
SmackDown Women’s title match added to WWE Royal Rumble
WWE 205 Live results: Two Dusty Classic matches
Seven new entrants announced for WWE Royal Rumble
WWE still undecided on top WrestleMania 37 matches
WWE SmackDown live results: Big E vs. Apollo Crews IC title match
WWE SmackDown video highlights —
Paul Heyman challenges Adam Pearce to face him in a match
Sami Zayn handcuffs himself to the barricade in protest
Asuka & Charlotte Flair vs. The Riott Squad
Ruby Riott says The Riott Squad was better without Billie Kay
Cesaro interrupts Daniel Bryan
Cesaro vs. Dolph Ziggler
Sasha Banks vs. Reginald
Big E vs. Apollo Crews for the Intercontinental Championship
Kevin Owens explains why he’ll never stop fighting
Sonya Deville won’t give The Street Profits a SmackDown Tag Team title rematch yet
Bayley-Bianca Belair obstacle course challenge
Dominik Mysterio vs. Baron Corbin
Kevin Owens stands tall
SmackDown fallout: Sasha Banks says Carmella will never take her title
SmackDown fallout: Asuka & Charlotte Flair showed why they’re the Tag Team Champions
SmackDown fallout: Baron Corbin barely had to break a sweat against Dominik Mysterio