We're used to WWE advertising matches and then failing to deliver them, but it was definitely surprising that Kevin Owens was absent from last night's episode of RAW. Right up until before the show started, the company's social media channels were teasing the former Universal Champion's Money in the Bank qualifying match against Ezekiel, so what happened?
There was no sign of Owens on the show, while Ezekiel only appeared in a backstage segment with John Cena. While there's been speculation that WWE has perhaps decided to include a surprise name in Sunday's ladder match, it seems the truth is a little more simple than that.
Talking during the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that a "minor" situation resulted in KO being unable to make it to RAW.
"No Kevin Owens, whatever the situation is, minor, but he was not on the show which is why the Ezekiel match did not happen as originally scheduled, which was, I guess, that was going to be for the last spot in Money in the Bank," he explained. "There’s one spot left."
"I did not check if Kevin Owens would be ready by Friday, I just know that he was not ready tonight but it’s nothing serious is what I was told. Perhaps he’ll be ready by Friday and do that match."
It could be that Owens is dealing with a minor injury or that he had a personal or travel issue that prevented him from getting to RAW on time. WWE clearly planned to have him or Ezekiel take part in the men's Money in the Bank ladder match, so we'd bet on this being addressed during Friday night's episode of SmackDown.
It was a strange night for RAW that saw Cena return, only to say he'll return again at some point to actually wrestle (the prevailing belief is that he'll face Theory at SummerSlam). Videos celebrating the Peacemaker star's achievements also included appearances from AEW wrestlers like Bryan Danielson, Chris Jericho, and Paul Wight, so that's been a big talking point too.
Stay tuned for updates.