Why Kevin Owens Missed This Week's WWE Raw

Real reason KO's planned WWE Raw match with Ezekiel didn't happen.

Kevin Owens Ezekiel
WWE.com

Kevin Owens was absent from this week's WWE Raw despite being advertised for a match with Ezekiel, with lead announcer Jimmy Smith confirming the bout would be rescheduled.

Smith did not provide a reason for Owens' absence or reveal the match's new date. Kevin and whatever member of the Samson clan were in line for a spot in the titular men's bout at Saturday's Money In The Bank 2022 premium live event, following KO's challenge to Ezekiel, Elias, or new sibling Elrod last week.

On the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer stated that Owens encountered a "minor situation" preventing him from appearing on Raw, hence the rescheduling. Whether or not the intended MITB qualifier will happen before the PLE is unknown, though. With only Friday's go-home SmackDown to go, Meltzer had no information on whether or not Owens will be available by then.

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Encouragingly, Meltzer was informed that Owens' situation isn't serious.

One spot remains in the men's Money In The Bank ladder match. Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, Omos, Sami Zayn, and Riddle have qualified so far. The space should be filled by the time SmackDown goes off the air on Friday.

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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.