10 Things We Learned From WWE SmackDown In The UK (May 9)
9. Title Vs Title
'No-one cares about the House of Horrors...no-one cares about India' uttered Kevin Owens before callously diffusing the London crowd's glee by reminding them that 'no-one cares about England either'.
It was a roaring start to another phenomenal 'New Face of America' promo from the United States champion back on blistering form following the intense conclusion to his lengthy programme with Chris Jericho on last week's broadcast.
Taking wicked credit for ending 'Y2J's career, Owens went on a tirade at the expense of the WWE Title combatants and his Backlash pay-per-view opponent AJ Styles.
Outside of the usual bluster that built to the Teddy Long-inspired six-man tag match later in the show, the promos highlighted a genuine battle for supremacy between the two male singles straps on the blue brand.
The 'secondary' handle afforded to the US Title would routinely become derisory dependent on the mistreatment the strap happened to be suffering at the time, but it's elevation over Owens' shoulder has promoted it far beyond the midcard silliness he rightfully accused Orton of.
Possibly the most intriguing aspect of Backlash may be which match goes on last at the show. With Shinsuke Nakamura's debut also stating a case to be Chicago topliner, the likely quality of the Styles/Owens encounter elevates it lightyears beyond the Randy/Jinder curiosity. The notoriously volatile crowd may not be so sympathetic if the ripped duo are given the evening's final bow.