Kevin Owens shared his reaction today to a surprising United States Championship change on WWE SmackDown, the final show before the Clash in Paris event this Sunday. Owens addressed the headline moment involving Sami Zayn’s victory in the main event of this week’s blue brand broadcast.
Breaking Down the SmackDown Main Event and Title Switch
On WWE SmackDown, Solo Sikoa defended the United States Championship against Sami Zayn. The match featured interference attempts from the MFT faction, comprised of JC Mateo, Talla Tonga, and Tanga Loa. However, Jacob Fatu intervened, preventing the interference and allowing Zayn to connect with his signature Helluva Kick, ultimately winning the title.
Following the match, Owens took to social media to send a congratulatory message to The Great Liberator while humorously expressing mixed feelings about him.
“One of the best indeed… Top 1, in my opinion. I still hate him though. Or maybe not. I don’t know, it’s hard to remember. Depends on the day, I guess. We’ll see what happens. One thing I do know for sure is that he’s the best,” he wrote.
—Kevin Owens, WWE Superstar
The Road to This Moment: Owens’ Recent History and Status
Kevin Owens’ connection to this storyline runs deep. Previously, he defeated Sami Zayn in an intense Unsanctioned match at Elimination Chamber 2025. Owens has been absent from in-ring competition since WWE’s Premium Live Event on March 1, due to undergoing neck fusion surgery. A scheduled bout against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41 was canceled because of these medical issues.
Owens Opens Up About a Near-Fatal Accident in Saudi Arabia
Outside of the ring, Owens recently revealed details about an accident involving WWE Personality Cathy Kelley in Saudi Arabia. During WWE’s Crown Jewel 2024 event, both were riding a dune buggy in the desert when it rolled over. Owens described his efforts to protect Kelley as the situation unfolded, sharing the experience on Cody Rhodes’ podcast
“What Do You Wanna Talk About?”
.
“Going through the dunes, great time, amazing time. And then as we go up a dune, I see the buggy in front of us almost go. And in my head, I go, ‘Oh, we’re gonna go.’ And as we start going, in my head, I go, ‘Cathy doesn’t know how to keep her f***ing hands in.’ I just reached around and grabbed her arms, and as we’re rolling, I’m holding on to her,” Owens recalled.
—Kevin Owens, WWE Superstar
Future Outlook: Owens’ Recovery and WWE Return
As Kevin Owens continues to recover from his neck surgery and reflect on these recent experiences, fans eagerly await his eventual return to WWE programming. His reaction to the newest title change carries weight due to his history with Sami Zayn, and the wrestling community will be watching closely as the storylines evolve heading into Clash in Paris.
This moment not only marks a significant shift in SmackDown’s championship landscape but also highlights Owens’ ongoing influence and presence in WWE, even during his physical absence.
