5 Ups & 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Sept 12)

2. Vince McMahon Takes One For The Team

Vince McMahon Kevin Owens
WWE.com

Vince McMahon’s long-awaited return to WWE television was the centerpiece of last night’s show. The Chairman hasn’t appeared on SmackDown in over four years, but had some serious business to attend to this week: the rapidly escalating situation between his son Shane and Kevin Owens.

Even at 72, Vince McMahon is one of the best characters in the company. KO tried to intimidate him, but Vince was having none of it, and openly mocked the former US Champion’s threat to sue the company. From there, McMahon said he’d fire Owens if he even thought about commencing legal action, before moving on to the segment’s real talking point.

As expected, Vince announced that KO will face Shane inside Hell In A Cell on the October 8th pay-per-view of the same name. A predictable move, but what’d be the point of Vince’s appearance without making the match?

Things escalated thereafter. Owens bust Vince wide open with a shoot headbutt, then beat the tar out of the Chairman before agents, referees, and Stephanie McMahon came out for the save. A strong segment closed with Vince trying to walk to the back on his own accord, but falling to his knees as he did so, proving that there’s still nothing he won’t do to put an angle over.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.