Kevin Owens has crowned himself the “True WWE Champion” and vowed to defend his stolen title during WWE’s annual holiday loop— a string of Christmas-week live events that brings WWE superstars to fans across multiple cities.
For those keeping track, Owens is not the WWE Champion. Cody Rhodes holds that distinction. Owens failed to capture the title from Rhodes this past weekend at Saturday Night’s Main Event. However, in a shocking post-match attack, Owens left with the iconic Winged Eagle Championship belt. The belt itself was being used by Cody for one night only, on loan from WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H.
While Owens basks in the spotlight as the self-proclaimed champion, WWE has yet to hand down any formal disciplinary action for his post-match ambush and theft of the championship belt. Fans, however, are bracing for Rhodes’ inevitable revenge.
The company has provided a storyline update on Cody Rhodes’ condition following Owens’ attack, and it doesn’t sound good. The “American Nightmare” is reportedly dealing with significant injuries, adding to the anticipation of his eventual comeback. For now, though, Rhodes will have to sit out the holiday loop.
With Cody sidelined, Kevin Owens heads into the holiday season like the Grinch himself—winged eagle in hand, flaunting his “championship reign” in front of the WWE Universe.