Backstage News on Why Kevin Owens Lost the U.S. Title to AJ Styles at MSG

July 19, 2017

Back on July 7th, AJ Styles surprised the wrestling world when he defeated Kevin Owens for the U.S. Title at WWE’s live event at Madison Square Garden. Styles vs Owens, in a rematch for the U.S. Title, will now take place at WWE Battleground this Sunday night in Philadelphia.

There has been speculation as to why WWE decided to take the title off Owens and give it to AJ Styles, and one of the reasons is because of the upcoming DVD set being released on AJ Styles, which will be the first on the superstar from WWE.

However, according to The Dirty Sheets podcast, which you can check out below, there is a second reason why WWE decided to go with the title switch at MSG, and it relates to WWE Champion Jinder Mahal. With Mahal portraying an anti-American heel on TV, WWE did not want two of its top Champions on Smackdown both working anti-American gimmicks. Kevin Owens, of course, has been doing his “new face of America” gimmick since winning the U.S. Title.

The report also adds Rusev to the mix, who is also working an anti-American gimmick on Smackdown Live, and who will face John Cena in a Flag Match at WWE Battleground this Sunday night.

Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.

Nick attended New York University and graduated in 2001 with a degree in Drama.

Nick first entered the internet wrestling community back in 2004 when he became the co-host of The Voice of Wrestling Radio Show. From there, Nick made the transition from radio personality to editor when he began working with WrestleZone in 2008.

Nick is a member of two Off-Broadway theatre companies, Another Urban Riff, and the Drama Desk Award winning Godlight Theatre Company. Nick has appeared in over a dozen Off-Broadway plays since he moved to New York City, and has shot several short and feature length films. In 2010, he completed principle photography on a film titled "How to Score Your Life," which also features TNA Knockout ODB.

Inspiration in his life has come from many people including his family, Woody Allen, Steven Spielberg, Jack Nicholson, The Beatles, and of course, Lassie.