Former friends turned hated enemies met for the first time in a sanctioned match when Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens came to blows in the Royal Rumble match. Zayn was seeking revenge following a brutal assault from Owens back in 2015, during their time in NXT, that not only ended his reign as champion but also brought an end to their years-long friendship. Sunday night, the Montreal native earned avenged his heartbreak, pummeling Owens and tossing him over the top rope, ending the former IC champion's dreams of reigning over World Wrestling Entertainment. It could very well spell the end of the rivalry, an exclamation point on the program. What it likely is, though, was yet the latest development in a feud destined to stretch as long as the Superstars find themselves in the same place at the same time.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
