Platypus (I Hate You)
Kevin Owens had the Undisputed Championship in his grasp. After multiple ref bumps, (not multiple refs bumping, but one ref taking a couple hits) Sami Zayn entered the arena. He made his intentions clear through beelining for CM Punk. Sami’s hatred for Punk is always clear but what about his love-hate relationship with Punk’s challenger? For a while, it looked like a strong lean into “love.” He put Punk on a silver platter for his best friend.
Even offered him the championship to knock Punk into next Friday’s SmackDown without his title.
Kevin didn’t want to do it that way. He definitely thought about it but he hesitated. After all this time, after all the talk, he didn’t want an asterisk next to his win. He needed to drop Punk in the middle of the ring not only cleanly but on his own. It made all the sense in the world to everyone in Toronto.
Well, almost everyone.
Sami took KO’s conviction personal. I’m not entirely sure why as of yet but I can see a litany of reasons Sami can compellingly explain to any crowd willing to boo him for a few minutes. Reasoning aside, he destroyed his partner’s best chance at a comeback worthy of a history book. I’m not a betting man but I’d wager KO’s going to have a ton of words for Sami.
Sami wasn’t finished with either man after Punk got the W. Beating down Punk and KO post match made it clear he wants justice. There’s contempt for Punk for obvious reasons but also for KO, possibly for squandering the chance in front of him. For the Prizefighter, he needed that time to mean something and do it his way. For Sami, all of KO’s time meant he should do whatever it takes to get what he deserves.
At least that’s how I read it.
Sami’s gift is how he makes everything he does feel right for him. The same goes for Punk and KO, which is a good thing since we might be headed toward a three-way feud. Punk and KO will no doubt want their respective pound of flesh from Sami.
This capped an awesome match driven off emotion. Kevin champed at the bit for Punk to get to the ring, then couldn’t wait to get his hands on him. It was pent up anger and 20 years worth of frustration. That emotion carried through the entire bout.
In the end, it was Sami who brought it all home though. His actions added more drama to the proceedings and took an impassioned feud to an even higher level.
B-Sides
- Damien Priest’s patience is wearing thinner than anyone who fits in Calvin Klein pants. I keep wondering when they pull the trigger on this simmering feud; there’s only but so many times the man can give R-Truth his props after Truth loses yet another match for them. This time, they lost their rematch against the MFT for the tag titles, a match Damien desperately wanted to win. Now, Truth didn’t do anything out of hand to cost them. No, he just got pinned. What makes all of this at least semi-interesting drama is the former tag champs competed hard. This was no walk in the park for Talla & Tama Tonga. They eked out a win with the Red Cross that felt more like instinct than timing. I get why Damien keeps some of his cool when Truth gives effort like that. But an L is still an L. It looked like it might come this week, thought that was just a tease.
- Remember when Giulia was a thing? Apparently only me and Pepperidge Farm remember. The Beautiful Madness went from hottest free agent to getting beat down by Blake Monroe in a match that was never a match. Yup, you read that correctly. Blake’s debut SmackDown match didn’t happen because The Glamor viciously attacked Giulia before the bell rang. Actually, she did it while Giulia walked to the ring. The most entertaining thing involving Blake came before the match. The camera caught her looking for something to wear to the ring only for her to reveal her ring attire under her robe. That was certainly a thing they did. At this point, Tatum Paxley will wrestle her first two matches on SmackDown before Blake wrestles her first.
- Apparently that rumor about the territory spotlighting Lil Yachty on Sunday Night’s Main Event was partially true. No, there’s no concert, but he does have a match with Baron Corbin. If he survives for just five minutes, then Trick gets another rematch. If not? Well, Trick gets the same thing Willy Wonka promised Charlie when he thought the young man colluded with Slugworth: nothing. I don’t have any feelings about this. I know Yachty’s home crowd will go crazy for him. I also know Baron will do everything to make son look good. But this sounds like a bathroom break.
- Lash Legend took out Tiffany Stratton in this ongoing feud between the Irresistible Forces and pretty much anyone who looks at them sideways. It’s crazy seeing these two go at it when reflecting on their NXT interactions. Lash in particular is eons beyond where she was in Orlando. I wish they got more time but the match set up the ending where Chelsea Green saved Tiffany from a two on one beatdown.
- I loved the energy Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes brought to their opening segment. Cody isn’t always convincing when he’s in rage mode but he channels it well whenever Randy is involved. Possibly because of their history, but also because Randy always starts at a 10. If he doesn’t match that, then everything fails. Randy didn’t say anything new as it relates to Cody being afraid to do the necessary things to win, even if they betray his character. The words just sting more coming from a guy who took Cody under his wing. It helps that he’s right about Cody’s life being an American Daydream; the man seems almost blissfully unaware of his privilege within the current pecking order. But I’m writing all of this and not acknowledging Nick Aldis’ stipulation that if either man touches the other before Sunday Night’s Main Event, then they won’t sniff another championship match. I know neither man will put that in jeopardy but the extra layer only increases the tension between them until their match.
This was a very solid outing for the blue brand. It started with a great back and forth, then ended with a helluva ending. Pun very much intended.
What say you, Cagesiders?
