12 Ups & 2 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (13 Aug)

6. Joe & Elias Screw KO

Samoa Joe Kevin Owens Elias
WWE.com

Setting aside all concerns re: the Shane McMahon vs. Kevin Owens feud continuing for a moment, KO's bout with Samoa Joe did what it was supposed to.

'The Best in the World' was out to knock Owens down a peg by having his henchman, Elias, screw him after failing to do so at SummerSlam. He succeeded. 'The Drifter' was all over a solid TV scrap that eventually succumbed to hijinx as he pulled the referee out of the ring then took his role, counting super-fast as Joe rolled KO up for the victory. Cue: Owens' rage and Tom Phillips speculating on what this meant for his mindset ahead of King of the Ring.

Some will bemoan the shenanigans and Owens taking the loss here, but that's the way this bout had to go after WWE chose their path earlier in the night. It's another hurdle for KO to overcome; one that he will overcome in time. Patience, chaps. Patience.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.