kevin owens
(Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images)

Backstage News on Why Kevin Owens Lost the U.S. Title to AJ Styles at MSG

Back on July 7th, AJ Styles surprised the wrestling world when he defeated Kevin Owens for the U.S. Title at WWE’s live event at Madison Square Garden. Styles vs Owens, in a rematch for the U.S. Title, will now take place at WWE Battleground this Sunday night in Philadelphia.

There has been speculation as to why WWE decided to take the title off Owens and give it to AJ Styles, and one of the reasons is because of the upcoming DVD set being released on AJ Styles, which will be the first on the superstar from WWE.

However, according to The Dirty Sheets podcast, which you can check out below, there is a second reason why WWE decided to go with the title switch at MSG, and it relates to WWE Champion Jinder Mahal. With Mahal portraying an anti-American heel on TV, WWE did not want two of its top Champions on Smackdown both working anti-American gimmicks. Kevin Owens, of course, has been doing his “new face of America” gimmick since winning the U.S. Title.

The report also adds Rusev to the mix, who is also working an anti-American gimmick on Smackdown Live, and who will face John Cena in a Flag Match at WWE Battleground this Sunday night.

TRENDING


X