A rematch for the Undisputed WWE Championship, in addition to the winged eagle title, is formally set between champion Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens. The pair will face-off as soon as once more, this time in a ladder match for each belts, on the Royal Rumble on February 1. “WWE SmackDown” began off with a recap of Owens sending Rhodes out of Saturday Evening’s Important Occasion on a stretcher following a package deal piledriver, and “The Prizefighter” taking the winged eagle belt as his personal. “SmackDown” Basic Supervisor Nick Aldis was then seen in a video, demanding Owens return the championship or endure quick and extreme penalties.
Owens appeared following a brawl between Sami Zayn, the brand new Bloodline, and Braun Strowman, and walked to the ring the place Aldis was already standing. Owens mentioned he would not be handing over the winged eagle, as a result of it was his bargaining chip for a rematch towards Rhodes. He talked about he had the match received, however there was no referee to depend the pinfall. Owens mentioned Aldis might have it again, however Rhodes wanted to come back take it. Aldis reminded him it wasn’t a negotiation, and that if he did not hand over the belt, he would by no means set foot in a WWE ring once more.
Rhodes’ music hit and he reduce a promo about how he is not combating for himself anymore, however for his women, his followers, and everybody else. He mentioned it wasn’t Aldis’ duty to get the championship again, it is his. Rhodes mentioned he needed a match the place a referee cannot cease what he’ll do to Owens. He demanded a ladder match, and Aldis made it official for the Rumble. Owens tried to shake Rhodes’ hand, then pushed Aldis into the champion as he went to depart, and stomped on Rhodes’ injured neck.
