WWE’s narrative extended beyond the PPV cameras on Saturday night. Smartphone footage captured a heated dialogue that turned violent between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens and then WWE Evil Blood disappeared on Saturday.
The lovers captured the off-air branch at the Situation Farm Area in Atlanta. An animated exchange between WWE Undisputed Champion Rhodes and his friend Owens turned physical and then Owens pressed a finger into Rhodes’ chest. Rhodes attempted to de-escalate the situation and travel. Owens caught Rhodes with a hard punch as Rhodes ducked to pick his name up off the ground. Owens persisted in attacking Rhodes, slamming him into a tour bus and kicking him to the ground. WWE staff quickly intervened then.
Tensions have been rising between Rhodes and Owens for months. Rhodes gifted his real-life friend an undisputed shot at the WWE name at the Bash in Berlin on August 31. The competition began amicably, but became increasingly tumultuous in the lead-up to their name match. Rhodes won and buried the hatchet, but Owens was disappointed at not being able to become international champion again. Their friction persisted throughout the process until Evil Blood, but WWE subverted expectations by executing Owens’ heel on television.
Rhodes headlined Evil Blood on Saturday with his old rival Roman Reigns. They teamed up in a successful attempt against Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu of The Bloodline. The Evil Blood main match featured the return of The Rock and Jimmy Uso, who were absent from WWE programming for 6 months.
