WWE SummerSlam was one of the longer WWE pay-per-views with a television time of close to six hours. With that much TV time came the opportunity to incorporate as many matches that were possible. One of the matches advertised for the SummerSlam pre-show was Baron Corbin vs. Kalisto. However, that match was not featured during the kickoff show.
Earlier it was reported that time constraints were the reason for the cancellation of the match, but recent reports have surfaced stating that the real reason the match had been abandoned was an injury to Kalisto.
Kalisto had wrestled on the August 2nd episode of SmackDown Live, losing a number one contender to the Intercontinental Title match to Apollo Crews, in which Corbin was also a part of. The rivalry between Corbin and Kalisto had been heating up and this match was pure evidence of it. From the very outset, Corbin dominated Kalisto, but Apollo Crews dropkicked Corbin out of the ring and scored the pinfall on Kalisto.
Kalisto was seen to be uncomfortable after the match and had to be helped to the back after the match. However, there was no word of an injury.
Corbin was visibly frustrated with the turn of events. He vented out his anger with a promo, calling Kalisto a coward and accusing him of pleading to every doctor not to clear him for the match. He said that Kalisto had got his wish and was not medically cleared. He went on to say that he was all about securing paychecks and Kalisto had cost him money. Corbin then called out Kalisto saying that he would permanently put him to rest on his couch once he returned. Corbin also took a dig at Booker T by saying that Booker had a nice watch, but his watch was more expensive.
Heading into SummerSlam, Corbin would regularly assault Kalisto backstage. The first of these attacks came the week after Kalisto had cost him a shot at the Intercontinental title. The next week on Smackdown Live! was no different either. Baron re-enacted a controversial Heidenreich/ Michael Cole segment with Kalisto, in which the latter’s head was squished against the wall.
Both Baron Corbin and Kalisto were drafted to SmackDown Live! during the brand split. On the 26 July edition of Smackdown Live!, Baron Corbin competed in a Six Pack Challenge consisting of himself, John Cena, Bray Wyatt, Apollo Crews, AJ Styles and Dolph Ziggler. He did not emerge out of that match as the victor as Dolph Ziggler went on to score a rare pinfall victory over AJ Styles.
The Corbin-Kalisto match could feature at Backlash if the masked luchador makes it back in time.
