Connect with us
Kevin Owens and Matt Hardy Return on WWE SmackDown Live!
Could KO make a splash at the Royal Rumble?

News

Kevin Owens and Matt Hardy Return on WWE SmackDown Live!

Two big returns helped spice up the Road to WrestleMania.

KO and The Broken yet Woken One made surprise returns on tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live!.

Kevin Owens has been out of action the past several months due to injury and, after weeks of handheld footage of him bowling and going to the movies with his family, made a triumphant return to the blue brand and was immediately inserted into the WWE Championship picture. Vinnie Mac himself came out to announce Owen’s returns, remove Kofi Kingston from the WWE Championship match at Fastlane, and insert KO.

Later in the night, Owens teamed with Kingston against the duo of Daniel Bryan and Rowan. Kingston and Owens won the match after Owens pinned D-Bry with Stone Cold Stunner. It’s certainly an interesting, albeit uninspired turn of events. Kofi is clearly riding a wave of momentum and fans are being vocal about their desire to see him in a top spot. Obviously, the creative powers that be are trying to stoke those flames by placing more adversity in front of him, which will likely work, but they are doing this same exact storyline with Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey. It’s likely that Kingston will either be added to the Fastlane match or at WrestleMania itself — I just would have preferred a more creative way to capitalize on Kingston’s momentum.

Matt Hardy also made a surprise return in a winning effort with his brother Jeff over The Bar. The previously Broken performer was suffering low back pain secondary to sacralization of his L5 vertebra (fancy way of saying his two of his vertebra were partially fused) that, as per a Twitter post from his account, threatened his career. Since then has been serving as a backstage producer and transitioning into more of a teaching role beyond the ring. Hardy, fortunately, revealed that had been cleared for an in-ring return and appears to still be able to perform. Matt was NOT utilizing his previously used Woken gimmick and it remains to be seen what role his character will be playing forward.

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024 WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024

WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024

Pro Wrestling

AEW Dynamite preview, full card: February 28, 2024 AEW Dynamite preview, full card: February 28, 2024

AEW Dynamite preview, full card: February 28, 2024

Pro Wrestling

AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024 AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024

AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024

Pro Wrestling

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt' Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt'

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in ‘Blood Hunt’

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup