I Legit Thought Kevin Owens Was Seriously Hurt During His Ladder Match With Cody Rhodes, And I Wasn’t The Only One

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It was evident last night’s ladder match between Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes for The WWE Championship at Royal Rumble would be grueling, given their history and the inherent danger in ladder matches. Yet, they didn’t disappoint, delivering a match that will go down as one of the greats, leaving Owens visibly injured and battered. In fact, it raised concerns about his well-being, suggesting that both competitors gave it their all.

During a significant part of the match, there were some extremely harsh impacts, with a Fisherman Buster Knockout being particularly noticeable as Cody was hurled off the ropes and onto a ladder. However, it was towards the end that things took a turn for the worse. Rhodes executed an Alabama Slam on Owens, who was positioned between the ring and the announcer’s table. For those not well-versed in wrestling or fans less familiar with Bob Holly’s moves, the Alabama Slam is a less common technique where you lift your opponent by their legs and then forcefully throw them forward so they land on their back on the mat, but in this instance, Owens fell onto the ladder instead. This move caused a collective gasp from the audience. You can watch it here…

For the past 35 years, I’ve been an avid wrestling fan. When they hoisted that ladder, I knew someone was bound to take a hard fall through it. The Alabama Slam and the aggressive manner of the match made me anxious, but it wasn’t until later when the fight seemed to abruptly end that I felt uneasy. Typically, high-stakes wrestling matches are marked by intense and frenetic final moments, but in this case, Rhodes nonchalantly climbed the ladder as Sami Zayn and other ring staff tended to Owens. There wasn’t a moment where it seemed like KO might stir and challenge the finish. Instead, he lay there, motionless and bleeding, while a paramedic in white gloves assessed him.

After the contest ended, Owens remained sprawled out on the ground as Cody Rhodes reveled in his victory. For a moment, it appeared as though he had become one with the ladder itself, sparking a flurry of tweets from enthusiastic fans. Here are some examples…

After they helped him down from the ladder, he continued to maintain his act. He simply lay there, appearing extremely close to death, as paramedics attended to him and carried him away from the arena. The situation became so distressing that even Rhodes, who is highly popular among fans, began to face criticism on social media for celebrating with his titles while KO was in such a critical condition. Some fans drew comparisons between him and Homelander from The Boys, while others felt he behaved more like a villain, particularly when he brandished his championship belts above Owens.

What ultimately tipped me off that this was likely pre-planned was the deliberate way WWE framed its camera shots. It’s unnatural to capture a lifeless body from an upward angle while someone else is celebrating in the same frame, and it’s even more unusual when there are no updates about potential injuries in the press conference following the event. With that said, I believe this means we can expect some intriguing storylines moving forward. For instance, it seems possible that good guy Cody Rhodes might embrace his darker side, which has been a popular demand from fans, including myself.

Despite various circumstances, let me take a moment to salute Kevin Owens. This fellow has consistently put his physical wellbeing on the line for years, crafting captivating narratives that delight WWE enthusiasts. In contrast to many others, he hasn’t often held championships or headlined events. Instead, he’s been a tireless performer who elevates every role he takes on, whether it’s in a high-stakes ladder match, an unforgettable main event at WrestleMania with the legendary Stone Cold Steve Austin, or a humorous secondary storyline involving trying to decipher if two wrestlers are brothers or the same individual. He’s one of the most indispensable talents on the entire roster, and I sincerely hope that WWE eventually grants him a substantial title reign. He truly deserves it.

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2025-02-02 17:37