5 things we learned from WWE TV this week; KO's future, Goldberg returning?, more

This week's episodes of WWE Raw and SmackDown Live continued the road to SummerSlam next month and featured a massively star-studded special on Monday night's Raw Reunion show.

The episode of WWE Raw, featuring special appearances from John Cena, Ric Flair, Steve Austin, HBK, Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Razor Ramon, Kelly Kelly, Pat Patterson, Jimmy Hart, and even Impact Wrestling star Rob Van Dam, provided some nostalgic moments and throwback fun.

SmackDown Live followed Raw with an episode revealing Kofi Kingston's opponent for SummerSlam, the continuation of Kevin Owens vs Shane McMahon and more.

Considering the above, let's take a look at 5 things we learned from WWE TV this week!

#5 Kevin Owens is not becoming the new Steve Austin

This week's episode of WWE Raw Reunion came and went without Steve Austin and Kevin Owens appearing in the ring together.

Many fans thought and perhaps hoped, that Austin and KO would have some type of showdown featuring both men using the Stunner, but not only did a standoff fail to happen, Steve Austin did not hit a Stunner at all during his appearance on Raw.

While it remains unconfirmed why Austin and Owens did not interact on the show, it might be to signal that WWE plans to push Owens as his own type of babyface, and not attempt to recreate Owens in Stone Cold's light.

Keeping KO unique and original is very smart on WWE's part, and will allow essences of Steve Austin to emerge in Owens' character while allowing Owens to infuse his persona with his own vigor.

Meanwhile on SmackDown Live this week, it was announced that Kevin Owens will face Shane McMahon at SummerSlam next month, and KO promises to make Shane "actually enjoyable" at the PPV when he defeats the blue brand's boss. Furthermore, KO has put his own career on the line in his bout at SummerSlam, promising to quit WWE if he loses to Shane McMahon.

See WWE Smackdown Results, Highlights of event, & more on WWE Smackdown Results page

#4 Is WWE teasing a Goldberg return?

Two weeks in a row now WWE SmackDown Live star Dolph Ziggler has dropped references to Bill Goldberg, and it has to make fans wonder if there isn't at least some type of thought process behind Ziggler's comments.

It's long been said that Vince McMahon doesn't mention things on TV if he doesn't at least have an inkling to book some type of payoff in the end.

Goldberg's last appearance in a WWE ring came at the Super ShowDown PPV in Saudi Arabia, and the former WCW Champion had a very poorly received match against The Undertaker. Following the bout, Goldberg expressed his disappointment in letting the fans down with his PPV performance, which could suggest WWE has plans for the Hall of Famer to make up for his bout against 'Taker at some point down the line.

The Undertaker had a shot at redemption at WWE Extreme Rules this month, teaming with Roman Reigns in a match which was widely considered a fantastic outing for The Deadman.

#3 Samoa Joe has lost virtually all credibility in WWE

It might be a daunting task to recall the last time Samoa Joe won a match in WWE, and despite a common saying that "wins and losses" don't matter, Joe's streak of losses is definitely starting to matter as it pertains to the former United States Champion's credibility.

Samoa Joe is heading down a path similar to that of Bray Wyatt prior to Wyatt reinventing himself as The Fiend, and it's a path to which many fans hope Wyatt never returns.

Joe is one of, if not the best talents on the microphone in all of WWE. His promo abilities are nearly unmatched, and he brings authenticity and realism rarely seen from his peers in WWE.

Yet Joe's ability to "talk the talk" has translated into terrible match booking for the former NXT Champion, as he cannot win the big bout when push comes to shove. In recent months, Joe lost a quick squash match at WrestleMania, regained and then quickly lost the United States Title, and has lost big matches against the likes of Roman Reigns and Kofi Kingston.

Joe is in serious need of a big match win sometime soon, or all of his great promos will eventually fall on deaf ears from an audience growing more and more apathetic towards the Samoan Submission Machine.

#2 The Dr. of Thuganomics is still the meanest man on the mic

This week's episodes of Raw and SmackDown Live provided many memorable moments on the mic, but one of the highlights of the week came from a returning John Cena.

In case you missed it, Cena dropped a classic Dr. of Thuganomics promo on The Usos during the opening of the Raw Reunion special on Monday night, and took a non-PG shot at Jimmy Uso's arrest earlier this year when he said The Usos "look like their mugshots."

With WWE TV slowly moving into edgier waters in recent week, hoping to regain the lost teenage viewer demographic, it was refreshing to see the typically "clean cut" John Cena let loose a bit and rear the head of a man who was famous for verbally assassinating his opponents prior to the WWE PG movement. Cena's appearance on Raw certainly provided more bite than Steve Austin's, which had to have been a pleasant surprise for most fans.

#1 Don't sleep on Randy Orton vs Kofi Kingston at SummerSlam

At first glance, the thought of Kofi Kingston vs Randy Orton for the WWE title at SummerSlam might seem a bit "been there done that", but further considering this feud might make this the PPV's sleeper rivalry.

Randy Orton and Kofi Kingston have a rich history, as it was the famous feud years ago between Orton and Kingston which gave fans hope that Kofi's star was on the rise in WWE after Kofi had been struggling to break through the proverbial glass ceiling in WWE.

However, Kingston's push derailed following his feud with Randy Orton, and instead of picking up what could have been career-altering wins against The Viper, Kingston was sent back to the bottom of the totem pole where he would linger for quite some time.

With Orton and Kingston rekindling their feud years later as Kofi now reigns as the WWE Champion, things could get very interesting between the master of the RKO and The New Day member as the road to SummerSlam continues.

Which moments stood out to you from WWE TV this week? Let us know in the comment section!