At WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event XXXVII, Kevin Owens attacked Cody Rhodes following their match, and a new report has provided some details into the decision-making process behind this angle.
Owens nailed Rhodes with a package piledriver after failing to win the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship in the main event of Saturday’s show.
Fightful Select is reporting that the decision to execute this angle was made to prevent the outcome of Saturday’s event from being leaked.
WWE conducted a double taping of SmackDown last week so the talent could enjoy their holiday break, which meant that Owens and Rhodes couldn’t perform anything in front of the live crowd, as it would reveal the outcome of the match.
The post-match assault enabled WWE to tape the show without Rhodes and Owens.
The report suggests that the plan until this weekend was to broadcast the attack angle on SmackDown and have Owens appear in a backstage segment.
Meanwhile, WWE has shared an update on Rhodes’ condition, stating that he was diagnosed with axial compression of the cervical spine, along with a cervical strain accompanied by spasms. WWE wrote,
“Cody Rhodes injury update following Saturday Night’s Main Event
The historic return of Saturday Night’s Main Event ended with Cody Rhodes retaining the Undisputed WWE Title in a thrilling match, but Kevin Owens would bring an end to the night with a heinous attack on The American Nightmare after the broadcast went off the air.
Earlier today it was confirmed that Cody Rhodes suffered cervical swelling and was kept overnight at a local hospital for observation.
While X-Rays were negative for a fracture, Rhodes has been officially diagnosed with axial compression of the cervical spine, as well as a cervical strain with spasm.
Be sure to follow WWE on social media for the latest updates on the Undisputed WWE Champion’s status.”
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