Kevin Owens took on WWE Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews on Friday Night SmackDown this week (6/4/21). The match was a continuation title match from last week, and Crews’ commander Azeez was banned from ringside.
However, Azeez caused enough damage before the match even started. He attacked Owens backstage and particularly targeted his injured ribs. Azeez almost delivered the Nigerian Nail to Owens before officials separated the two.
Crews was seen laughing and approving Azeez’s assault. As a result, when the match started, Owens could barely move. The attack ahead of the match affected the performance of KO to a great extent.
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However, in the second half of the match, Kevin attempted to make a comeback. Owens even went to the top rope for a splash, but Crew moved at the last minute, hurting Owens even more.
.@FightOwensFight showing a lot of heart against @WWEApollo despite being attacked backstage prior to this match. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/nqq5ypU8xk
— WWE (@WWE) June 5, 2021
The match was one-sided, and Owens was doomed to lose. Crews particularly chose ring aprons to assault Owens’ back and ribs at the same time. Crews pinned Owens with a Death Valley Driver onto the ring apron to retain his title.
After the match, Owens’ old friend and newest enemy, Sami Zayn, came back to SmackDown and attacked him with a Helluva kick. Zayn kept saying how it was Karma coming back to Owens as a referee checked on the latter.
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Fans react to Kevin Owens vs Apollo Crews on WWE SmackDown
Following the match, fans had a mixed reaction to the match. Some praised Owens and Crews over their handling of the spots and elevating the IC title. Let’s check some reactions below –
Kevin Owens and Apollo Crews are killing it per usual when they get a spot that calls for it.
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 5, 2021
Kevin Owens selling the hell out of that pre-match assault to him by Commander Azeez. Every sell is so believable that it makes me wince and cringe every time. #SmackDown
— Vinny Mac (@VinceZiegfred) June 5, 2021
Great match between Apollo Crews and Kevin Owens. The Intercontinental title has been feeling prestigious for a while now.#SmackDown
— Pro Wrestling Finesse (@ProWFinesse) June 5, 2021
Apollo Crews and Kevin Owens had a good IC Title match with Apollo retaining. Sami Zayn attacks Owens and lays him out with a Helluva Kick. If they have a match at HIAC, this should be in the cell cause of the true bad blood in this rivalry and then you can end the feud there
— Jeffrey Turner (@JeffyT85) June 5, 2021
Kevin Owens losing because his body giving out due to injury is an excellent touch.
— KRS-Two (@PBS_Impulse9) June 5, 2021
the match is now underway between Apollo Crews and Kevin Owens and it’s going to be for the intercontinental championship with commander azeez barred from ringside #SmackDown
— king (@itsswagsmith) June 5, 2021
Kevin Owens is just limping towards the ring. #SmackDown #ICTitle
— Chris (@SensesPunk) June 5, 2021
After the attack from Sami Zayn, some fans speculated on a probable Hell in a Cell match –
Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn inside Hell in a Cell would be unreal. Doubt it happens though.#SmackDown
— Pro Wrestling Finesse (@ProWFinesse) June 5, 2021
Hell In A Cell 2017: Kevin Owens defeats Shane McMahon in a Falls Count Anywhere Hell In A Cell match due to Sami Zayn
Hell In A Cell 2021: Kevin Owens vs Sami Zayn?
— Nathan 💙💛 (@WWELUFC) June 5, 2021
Can't be the only one to say this but do we still need Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn feud?? #smackdown
— The Ace of IWC (@AceofProWraslin) June 5, 2021
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Now, the question remains of what is the future of Kevin Owens? The answer remains dynamic as KO might still want to pursue the IC Title. However, the inclusion of Sami Zayn certainly makes the equation more complicated.
The fans could see a potential storyline involving the three at Hell in a Cell. Another possibility would be to pit Big E against Apollo and have Owens and Zayn face each other in singles competition.
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Let us know what booking you would like to see next in the comments below.
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