According to Dave Meltzer on a recent edition of The Wrestling Observer Radio Program, WWE Officials originally had plans for Daniel Bryan to wrestle WWE Champion Kofi Kingston at next month’s Money In The Bank PPV Event. This would have been their Wrestlemania 35 rematch, but Bryan suffered some sort of injury at WrestleMania 35 and the nature of the injury is being closely guarded by the company.
There is no word yet on when Daniel Bryan might be back in in-ring competition or if the company will pick back up on The Kofi Kingston vs. Daniel Bryan storyline, but Bryan’s injury is the reason why they turned Kevin Owens heel on this past Tuesday night’s episode of SmackDown LIVE. Kevin Owens turned on WWE Champion Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods after spending a week as an honorary member of The New Day due to Big E’s injury. The quick heel turn by Kevin Owens surprised a lot of fans, but Meltzer noted that WWE decided on The Owens heel turn a few days after WrestleMania 35 when Daniel Bryan was put on the shelf.
According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE went with Kofi Kingston vs. Kevin Owens at next month’s Money In The Bank PPV Event after considering Randy Orton & Rowan. The company also talked about bringing Drew McIntyre or Baron Corbin from Monday Night RAW to feud with Kofi Kingston, or have WWE United States Champion Samoa Joe stay on the blue brand for the feud. They ultimately went with Kevin Owens.
WWE previously aired babyfaces vignettes for Kevin Owens that featured his son before he made his return and the plan was for Owens to return to work as a babyface, not for him to return and then turn heel. The observer also notes that the original plan was for Owens to return as a “guy next door” who ate junk food, had the same problems as everyone else and had kids, but could beat people up. Owens was even given The Stone Cold Stunner as a finisher to help with the babyface gimmick. It was noted that WWE tested The Stunner out with RAW & SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch at live events, before eventually giving it to Owens.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
