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From Kevin Owens making a surprise return to The Hardy Boyz returning in action, this week's edition of WWE SmackDown Live (26th February 2019) featured a lot of contrasting moments indeed.
While comparing last night's show to this week's RAW would be unfair, the latest SmackDown Live episode was quite decent, thus, maintaining WWE's recent track record of being consistent when it comes to their weekly shows. The episode also left us with several takeaways, just like this week's RAW.
It seems as if WWE has hit the gas pedal on the Road To WrestleMania 35.
With that being said, here are a few interesting observations you may have missed during this week's edition of SmackDown Live.
#3 Why The Hardy Boyz are back together once again
Fans were delighted to see The Hardy Boyz wrestling as a team once again, as Matt Hardy made a surprise return during last night's show.
Adding to the fact that Jeff Hardy's recent time as a singles competitor had run its course, the SmackDown Live tag team division has seen several changes as well.
The Miz and Shane McMahon have been facing The Usos to headline the division. However, their particular story focuses more on the dynamic between Shane and Miz, and not The Usos or the SmackDown Live tag team titles at the same time.
With WrestleMania 35 inching closer day-by-day, WWE always leans towards bringing back some major attractions in order to gain more coverage. Moreover, The New Day are concerned with Kofi Kingston's struggle right now, and therefore, The Hardy Boyz might face The Usos for the SmackDown Live tag team titles at WrestleMania (or at Fastlane).
After all, its best for business, especially when we're talking about the SmackDown Live tag team scenario.
#2 Replacing Kofi Kingston with Kevin Owens for the WWE Title Match at Fastlane?
Vince McMahon is directly responsible for two major decisions in the past few weeks, first, suspending Becky Lynch well beyond WrestleMania 35, and replacing her with Charlotte Flair for the RAW Womens' Title Match at the Grandest Stage of them all; second, Replacing Kofi Kingston with Kevin Owens for the WWE Title Match at Fastlane.
The question remains, why?
There are several reasons behind the character, Vince McMahon's motivations behind each and every decision. His character is often associated with having an agenda against superstars who defy authority, so the Becky Lynch situation can be explained directly.
However, the turn of events that occurred last night focus on different aspects of the character, Vince McMahon. We know he likes to feature main-event worthy superstars when it comes to big matches, and Kofi is not what McMahon has in mind by default.
Therefore, he chose to rob Kofi of a WWE Title shot, and even if this story will play out in Kofi's favour sooner or later, it is apparent that Vince McMahon's on-screen character is inclined to believe that Kofi Kingston is not a main-event level superstar.
Another theory, which is way more serious than any other explanation, is the lack of long-term black champions who made a huge impact throughout the company's history. Do you see where I am going with this?
While I am not talking about Vince McMahon in real-life, it seems as if this particular segment hinted towards a character trait that his fictional persona has embodied all along, that is, the on-screen portrayal of Vince McMahon (the character) suggests some racial undertones...
#1 Kevin Owens using the Stone Cold Stunner as his new finisher
'Stone Cold Stunner' is a finisher that is synonymous with the legendary Stone Cold Steve Austin.
One of the major themes it represented back in the day was a symbol of expression against Authority. People would lose their collective minds (figuratively) when Stone Cold used the Stunner in order to lay down his opponents, and especially his greatest nemesis, Vince McMahon.
So it is only ironic that Kevin Owens, a person handpicked by the Authority (Vince McMahon) to bring the WWE Title back to established order would use the same finisher last night.
The Stunner might be Kevin Owens' way of showcasing this irony in front of millions. The finisher has now become a symbol of the Authority, and one could only imagine how many crucial matches Kevin Owens will win using this move in the future.
Most importantly, will Stone Cold Steve Austin respond to Kevin Owens' use of the finisher in one way or another?
Thanks for reading this article, please share it to spread the word. Leave your thoughts in the comments section below, and stay tuned for more.
