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Former Universal Champion Kevin Owens was a notable absence on the show. It made sense that he wouldn't be on the episode since he was written off with an assault last week. He was stretchered out and taken away in an ambulance, which meant that he'll probably be out for a week or two, or more.
The context for the incident was post-gauntlet match, where one hour was wasted on a match that had no conclusive finish. After Andrade DDT'd Humberto Carrillo onto concrete, Mysterio came out in concern for his friend while El Idolo fled away with Zelina Vega.
Following the break, Seth Rollins and the AoP confronted the United States Champion, with Rollins holding the steel pipe that Mysterio gave Kevin Owens. He told Mysterio that the champion "owed him one" and while it looked like he was going to spare him post-beatdown from AoP, Rollins would come back to the ring and curb stomp him. Here are 5 reasons why Rollins assaulted Mysterio.
#5 To set up the title match next week
When Charly Caruso asked Seth Rollins why he assaulted Mysterio, he mentioned that it was for a challenge that he hadn't revealed yet. When asked about what challenge it was, Rollins said that he challenged Rey Mysterio to a United States Championship match next week on RAW.
That's a blockbuster main event that could be a top PPV match on any given day, but we're getting it on free TV instead. We anticipate a great match between the two WWE veterans.
The United States title has been one that has changed hands a lot this year (with only AJ Styles having a decent-length title reign). We could see Kevin Owens return as well.
#4 The Kevin Owens connection
Last week on RAW at the beginning, Kevin Owens ran into Rey Mysterio backstage and the WWE legend offered Owens some help in his search for AoP. Owens refused, stating that it's his battle to fight.
Mysterio did, however, offer a bit of assistance - his metal rod. The same pipe that Seth Rollins was holding when confronting Mysterio on RAW. It appears that the metal pipe will be a theme in the rivalry and we'll be seeing that changing hands on more than one occasion.
The connection that Mysterio had with Kevin Owens is likely the reason why Rollins went after the United States Champion first. It's an interesting bit of character work and this also potentially confirms that we'll be seeing a future alliance and pairing between Mysterio and Owens.
If the storylines end up merging, it's going to be a nice way to go about it. Adding Mysterio to the mix makes it all the more exciting.
#3 To get heat
CM Punk predicted on WWE Backstage last week that turned out to be true in the first segment - people will start cheering Seth Rollins now that he's turned heel. In the opening segment of the night, Rollins was cutting a scathing promo and to the most part, he got heavily cheered.
It just goes to show how easily the minds of the WWE Universe sways and assaulting a beloved legend in Rey Mysterio was a surefire way of getting heat for The Architect and AoP.
WWE possibly anticipated that this would happen, which is why they made sure to have the assault segment. Seth Rollins is being positioned as the top heel of the RAW brand at the moment and if he is, he can't be getting cheered week after week.
Rollins being a despicable heel against a babyface legend was a guaranteed way to get heat and to WWE's credit - it worked wonders. Rollins went from a loved to a hated man in 3 hours.
#2 Rey Mysterio is one of many who will face the same fate
To make Seth Rollins the top heel, Rey Mysterio may not be enough to get him heat. He's assaulted Kevin Owens and the United States Champion so far, but will that be enough to get sustained heat?
WWE will want to bring back the despicable heel Rollins - the one who became WWE's top star in 2015 and dominated the year. There's no doubt that it was his best bit of character work in his 7-year main roster run. To get back to that, or to reach a new level, Rollins and AoP need to start terrorizing the Monday Night RAW roster, which means aimlessly attacking beloved babyfaces.
It can even be without a purpose. Sometimes, a heel doesn't have to be justified in doing what he/she does. If Rollins and AoP were to assault a new babyface every week or every two weeks, it would add a new layer to his character and make him an even bigger heel than before.
#1 A title change
The United States title hasn't exactly been the most prestigious one over the last few years. When looking back at it from 2017-2019, it's incredible as to how many title changes there have been. From transitional reigns to title changes simply for the sake of having title changes - the title hasn't been treated with the same prestige that it was when John Cena held it over four years ago.
AJ Styles had a great reign as the United States Champion this year, having the only lengthy reign with the title. Mysterio was the right name to dethrone him because the match after Survivor Series was a hot one, with the legend having momentum following the Brock Lesnar match.
Seth Rollins would be the perfect name to dethrone Mysterio and though we're not a fan of short title reign, it would make storyline sense for Rollins to dethrone Mysterio, especially since he has the numbers advantage at ringside with AoP being there to assist him.
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