WWE's storytelling went beyond the pay-per-view cameras on Saturday night. Smartphone footage showed a heated conversation between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens that turned violent after WWE Bad Blood went off the air on Saturday.
Fans caught the off-broadcast segment at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. An animated conversation between WWE Undisputed Champion Rhodes and his friend Owens turned physical after Owens pressed a finger to Rhodes' chest. Rhodes attempted to de-escalate the situation and walk away. Owens delivered a hard punch to Rhodes as Rhodes reached down to pick up his title from the floor. Owens continued to attack Rhodes, slamming him into a tour bus and kicking him to the ground. WWE employees intervened shortly afterwards.
Tensions between Rhodes and Owens flared for months. Rhodes gave his real-life friend an undisputed shot at the WWE title at the Bash in Berlin on August 31st. The rivalry started out friendly but became increasingly turbulent leading up to the title fight. Rhodes took the victory and buried the hatchet, but Owens was upset at his failure to become world champion again. Their tensions continued throughout the build-up to “Bad Blood,” but WWE subverted expectations by turning off the television with the Owens' heel.
Rhodes headlined Bad Blood on Saturday alongside his longtime rival Roman Reigns. Together they fought against Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu of The Bloodline. The main event of Bad Blood consisted of the Return of The Rock and Jimmy UsoBoth of whom have not been seen on WWE programming for six months.
