Folks, the tension on last night’s “SmackDown” was thicker than a billionaire’s tax loopholes! We had Kevin Owens, a man who’s never short on words, and Cody Rhodes, the Undisputed WWE Champion, going head-to-head—not in a match, but in a war of words that would make even the best debaters take notes.
The evening kicked off with SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis doing his best ringmaster impression, handing the mic to Owens first, then to Rhodes. Owens, never one to beat around the bush, asked Rhodes if he had something on his mind—because let’s face it, Rhodes is known for his monologues like I’m known for my rallies. And just like that, the gloves were off!
Owens, in a classic move, claimed that Rhodes was hiding an injury, specifically a bum knee. Rhodes, of course, denied it faster than a politician under investigation. But Owens wasn’t buying it. He reminded Rhodes that he knows the family, knows the legacy, and wouldn’t be trying to pull a fast one. Rhodes, never one to back down, shot back, saying he was in the same rooms as Owens back in the day and that maybe, just maybe, Owens is a little envious of the credit Rhodes gets in this business.
Owens, caught off guard, quickly pivoted back to the injury. According to KO, rumors were swirling backstage like gossip at a country club that Rhodes had been seen in the trainer’s room, and his knee was, in Owens’ words, “messed up.” But Rhodes doubled down, saying his knee is as fine as a well-oiled machine, and questioned whether Owens was getting cold feet about their upcoming match at “Bash In Berlin.”
Owens, still fuming, brought up his own past, mentioning how he won the Universal Championship eight years ago and how people still say he didn’t deserve it, attributing his win to Triple H’s involvement. Owens made it clear that he wants to beat Rhodes when he’s 100%—no excuses, no asterisks.
But Cody, always the sentimental type, expressed his love for “The Prizefighter” and asked if they’d still be friends when Rhodes inevitably retains the title. Owens, in a moment of classic KO fashion, dropped the mic, whispered something in Rhodes’ ear—probably the wrestling equivalent of “we’ll see”—and left the ring.
So, what does this mean for their showdown at “Bash In Berlin”? Who knows, folks, but one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be YUGE!