From the WWE rumor mill: Backstage update on Kevin Owens busting Vince McMahon open
What's the story?
On a recent edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed some new backstage information regarding Kevin Owens busting Vince McMahon open on last week's edition of SmackDown Live. Meltzer further confirmed that the bleeding was not planned.
In case you didn't know...
Vince McMahon returned to SmackDown Live for the first time in four years to address Shane McMahon attacking Kevin Owens the week before. McMahon reinstated Shane as SmackDown Live commissioner after a brief suspension and made the match between Shane and Owens inside Hell In A Cell at the pay per view of the same name on October 8th.
The heart of the matter...
Meltzer added that WWE officials are internally denying the rumors that Vince bladed before the segment, then covered it up with an adhesive to enable Vince to bleed immediately after Owens struck Vince.
At no time during the planning stages of this segment last week was blood discussed according to Meltzer. A long-time reporter stated that "it just happened."
What's next?
While not confirmed, next week's edition of SmackDown Live could see Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens in the same building for the first time since Owens busted Vince open. If that is the case, expect a chaotic scene for sure.
Author's take...
It is clear that since Vince McMahon shifted the WWE programming to a TV-PG rating, he wanted to make sure that there was as little blood on the shows as possible. Due to this fact, it makes complete sense that the WWE is saying they didn't plan any of this.
However, Vince owns the company and could call an audible when he feels necessary. In my opinion, I think when Vince quietly said something to Owens just before the headbutt, he was telling Owens to bust him open.
I think the whole rumor of blading and covering it up with some sort of Nu-Skin type of adhesive is far-fetched though. Just ask any old school wrestler, there are ways to bust someone open the hard way; whether it be with your head or your fist.
Regardless if they planned for blood or not, it completely enhanced the segment and got people talking. It added a new dimension and level of excitement to the feud.