Kevin Owens Smackdown debut and exclusive interview took center stage on the May 28, 2015 episode of WWE Smackdown from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, marking a pivotal moment as Owens confronted his future adversary, John Cena. This episode delivered turbulent action, rising tensions, and set the stage for high stakes at the upcoming Elimination Chamber event.
Smackdown Kicks Off with Hype for Elimination Chamber
The show began with a display of fireworks and an enthusiastic crowd at the Mohegan Sun Arena, as Tom Phillips quickly reminded viewers about the returns of pyrotechnics and the looming Elimination Chamber event. The anticipation built throughout the night, with superstars preparing for one of WWE’s most unpredictable shows.
Ambrose’s Arrest and Rivalries Intensify
The action intensified early as Dean Ambrose addressed his dramatic arrest from Raw, recounting the sequence where The Authority had him taken into custody after an altercation with a cameraman. Ambrose explained that after calling Roman Reigns from jail, footage from WWE’s YouTube channel surfaced showing Seth Rollins pushing the cameraman into him, exonerating Ambrose and turning the crowd in his favor. Ambrose’s retelling painted the NYPD as fans who allowed him to walk free following autographs and photos, setting the tone for his upcoming confrontation with Seth Rollins at Elimination Chamber. He declared that the conflict would end with Rollins losing his championship, signaling yet another heated chapter between the two rivals.
Lumberjack Tag Team Clash Raises the Stakes
The first major contest of the night featured Cesaro and Tyson Kidd battling Lucha Dragons in a lumberjack match, surrounded by other tag teams including The Prime Time Players, Los Matadores with El Torito, The Ascension, and The New Day. Early on, Cesaro and Kidd demonstrated strong teamwork, isolating Kalisto and maintaining control. Despite occasional distractions from the lumberjacks, the action remained focused in the ring, with Cesaro’s power and Kidd’s agility creating close calls. The turning point came when Kalisto capitalized on a distraction involving Xavier Woods, pinning Kidd with Salida del Sol and securing a hard-earned victory for the Lucha Dragons. Replays highlighted Woods grabbing Kidd’s leg, confirming the unconventional finish.
Backstage Strategies and New Challenges
Backstage, the tension remained high as Seth Rollins, accompanied by J&J Security, consulted with Kane about their match against Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns. Jamie Noble lightened the mood with a joke, comparing Ambrose’s unpredictability to a crazy aunt. Kane reassured Rollins that his plans would leave nothing to chance before Sunday’s event, amplifying viewers’ expectations for the main event showdown.
R-Truth Earns Credibility Ahead of Elimination Chamber
The competition continued as R-Truth battled King Barrett in a singles match. R-Truth, coming off a rare serious promo, claimed to be the embodiment of danger and proved his resolve in the ring. Barrett dominated much of the match, but Truth’s resilience paid off as he reversed a failed Bull Hammer attempt and delivered the Lie Detector for a surprise win. Post-match, Sheamus stormed the ring and delivered emphatic Brogue Kicks to both competitors, reinforcing the aggressive atmosphere heading into Elimination Chamber. The instant replay focused on the decisive Lie Detector and Sheamus’s pair of Brogue Kicks.
Lana’s Conflicted Allegiances Create Drama
Viewers were given more intrigue backstage as Lana shared her evolving attitude towards Rusev with Renee Young, declaring that she no longer viewed herself as anyone’s property and denying a relationship with Dolph Ziggler. Stills showcased Lana’s controversial kiss with Ziggler and the attack that followed. Rusev confronted Lana, dismissing any emotional impact and blaming Lana’s actions for Ziggler’s fate. The confrontation ended with harsh words, symbolizing the emotional turbulence storyline for these characters.
Power Struggle: Ryback Battles Rusev
Ryback and Rusev’s match quickly devolved into a clash of brute strength, punctuated by Rusev’s renewed pride in his Bulgarian identity and an aggressive in-ring style. Despite rallying chants and Ryback’s early advantage, a series of ringside attacks by Rusev—including slamming Ryback into the post and steps—culminated in a disqualification victory for Ryback after Rusev lost control. Questions lingered about whether Rusev’s apparent ankle injury influenced the abrupt and awkward finish, hinting at the risks awaiting both men in Sunday’s event.
Divas Division Faces High Stakes
The Divas division received focus as Paige faced Naomi, both providing pre-match interviews outlining their ambitions: Paige, motivated by her previous loss of a title opportunity in London due to Naomi’s interference, and Naomi boasting about her intent to become Divas Champion. Paige demonstrated resilience, overcoming Naomi’s targeted assault on her arm and turning the tables with a clothesline and superkick before finishing Naomi with Ram-Paige. Post-match, Nikki and Brie Bella appeared on stage, Nikki flaunting her Divas title, intensifying the rivalry ahead of Elimination Chamber.
Anticipation Grows for the Main Event Rematch
As the night progressed, viewers were reminded of the highly anticipated rematch pitting Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns against Seth Rollins and Kane. With alliances and grudges intensified, the stage was set for a heated confrontation styled as a tag team event.
Kevin Owens Makes Smackdown Debut and Issues Warning to Cena
The focus shifted when Michael Cole introduced Kevin Owens, ushering in a defining moment: Kevin Owens Smackdown debut and exclusive interview. Clips replayed Owens’ confrontations with John Cena from previous editions of Raw, underscoring the mounting animosity between the two. Owens did not hesitate to seize control of the interview, reminding Cole and the WWE Universe of his fifteen-year tenure in the wrestling industry and declaring his intent to overpower John Cena at Elimination Chamber. Owens refused to acknowledge Cena’s WWE accolades, jesting about his opponent’s “57 different terrible t-shirt designs” and insisting that Cena, not Owens, had something to prove. When Cole referenced Cena’s challenge about finishing fights, Owens responded by cueing up video that showed his victory over Sami Zayn at Takeover, demonstrating his finishing ability.
Owens went further by noting that he had beaten Zayn—a longtime friend—suggesting that his ruthlessness against Cena would be even greater. He concluded by holding the NXT Title aloft, making it clear that, in his view, he is the true champion and will dominate Cena at Elimination Chamber. Byron Saxton responded to Owens’ statements by calling them “a little disturbing to hear.” —Byron Saxton, Announcer
As Owens exited the ring, Dean Ambrose passed him on his way to the main event, illustrating how new stars and old rivalries are colliding just days before one of WWE’s biggest events.
Main Event Turmoil Erupts into Chaos
The final match featured Ambrose and Reigns taking on Rollins and Kane, who were joined by J&J Security. The bout began at a frantic pace, with mind games and frequent interference from ringside. Ambrose was isolated and attacked by Kane and Rollins, with J&J Security regularly causing chaos outside the ring. A series of high-impact maneuvers and counterattacks kept the advantage shifting, with Ambrose fighting his way out of nerve holds and Reigns countering with a Samoan drop and Superman punch. Just as Reigns attempted to secure victory, J&J Security interrupted, leading to a disqualification in favor of Reigns and Ambrose.
Following the decision, Ambrose launched himself at Mercury and Noble, brawling outside the ring alongside Rollins. Kane summoned reinforcements in the form of The New Day, escalating the fight further. Reigns unleashed a spectacular dive, knocking over the assembled heel group, and Ambrose delivered Dirty Deeds to Xavier Woods. Additional chaos emerged when Kofi Kingston attempted a high-risk move, only to be felled by a Superman punch from Reigns. The onslaught continued as Big E received a spear and Kane executed a chokeslam on Reigns. The carnage concluded with Rollins delivering a Pedigree to Ambrose, leaving Kane and Rollins standing triumphant as the show closed.
The Road to Elimination Chamber Intensifies
This episode of Smackdown heightened the stakes for all involved heading into the Elimination Chamber. With Kevin Owens Smackdown debut and exclusive interview positioning him as a serious threat to John Cena, and ongoing conflicts between Ambrose, Rollins, Reigns, and Kane boiling over, fans eagerly anticipate the fallout at one of WWE’s most chaotic events. Storylines involving Rusev, Lana, and Paige add emotional complexity while new alliances and betrayals reshape the WWE landscape, signaling that the road ahead promises more volatility and competition.
