Kevin Owens returned to WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night 2 in a surprise Fatal 4-Way match, winning the bout and becoming the new No. 1 Contender for the WWE Undisputed Championship.
Kevin Owens made a shocking comeback after a 17-month absence due to a neck injury. The return of Owens was announced by SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, who also added Gunther to the match. The surprise wasn't over, as Aldis revealed that Owens would be competing in the Fatal 4-Way match.
The match featured Owens, Sami Zayn, Finn Balor, and Gunther. Fans were ecstatic to see Owens return, with the former WWE Champion receiving a massive pop from the crowd. Zayn, who had been celebrating with Owens backstage earlier in the night, looked stunned by the news.
The match was a thrilling back-and-forth contest, with all four competitors giving it their all. Owens continued to run wild, hitting an avalanche suplex on Balor and a stunner on Zayn. However, Zayn managed to get his knees up and injured Owens' neck, sending him crashing to the mat.
Fans chanted "Sami sucks" as Zayn worked over Balor. Balor sent Zayn crashing to the mat from the top rope, but Owens took Finn's place on the top rope. KO went for the swanton bomb on Zayn, but Zayn got his knees up and injured Kevin Owens' neck again.
Owens sold this as a big deal as referee Ryan Tran checked Owens' neck. Kevin Owens went on a stunner parade before walking into the Blue Thunder Bomb for a nearfall. This Fatal 4-Way was anybody's game throughout the match, and fans responded favorably with "this is awesome" chants.
In the end, Kevin Owens hit the stunner on Sami Zayn and scored the win. With his victory, Owens has set up a potential feud with WWE Undisputed Champion CM Punk. Punk has recently been feuding against several top stars, including Balor, Zayn, Gunther, and Cody Rhodes.
Source: Yahoo Sports