By John Christopher Aquino
On the latest episode of the World Wrestling Entertainment’s “Friday Night SmackDown,” Kevin Owens announced that he is skipping this year’s “WrestleMania” due to a neck injury.
Before the “Prizefighter” came out, general manager Nick Aldis addressed the crowd in a sombre tone, stating that “there is a reason that we say ‘don’t try this at home’.”
Owens entered the ring to cheers of fans as rumours of his injury had leaked on the internet hours before the show.
“I’ve been dealing with a pretty serious neck injury, and we didn’t know what it was. We didn’t really know how serious it was.”
“Thankfully, this week, we managed to figure it out, and now I have to go get neck surgery,” Owens, who was scheduled to have a match with 14-time world champion Randy Orton, stated.
“The timing couldn’t be worse, because not getting to be in the ring with Randy Orton at WrestleMania really sucks.”
“I don’t know when I’ll have the privilege to be in front of you guys again,” a visibly emotional Owens continued.
As Owens concluded his speech, the fans cheered and clapped for the former world champion who was playing the heel in his current feud with Orton.
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What’s next for The Viper
Orton then came out with a disappointed look, as he stared at Owens who was exiting backstage.
Aldis proceeded to break the bad news to Orton, saying: “I hate to be the one to tell you this, and there’s no easy way to say it… You no longer have a match at WrestleMania.”
An angered Orton then attacked Aldis with a vicious “RKO,” as his future for WrestleMania 41 is uncertain.
What could have been
Fans were eager for the feud as it stems from Owens’ initial heel turn when he first attacked his friend, Cody Rhodes, in last year’s “Bad Blood.”
The feud was built around Orton bringing back his signature “punt kick” to use against Owens as revenge for putting him on the shelf.
Owens had previously used the banned “package piledriver” against Orton during the early stages of the storyline, which led “The Viper” to being hospitalised and out for four months.
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Jheruleene Anne Ramos