On tonight’s SmackDown, Randy Orton approached Triple H backstage to discuss an issue, then headed to the ring to address it publicly. Orton expressed frustration over not being able to face Kevin Owens at Crown Jewel, claiming that Owens was somehow off-limits.
Since SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis informed him last week that the decision was out of his control, Orton accused Triple H of protecting Owens and called him to the ring.
Triple H came out and responded, stating he didn’t want to address the matter in front of an audience but disagreed with Orton’s claim that he was shielding Owens.
While Triple H confirmed that Orton wouldn’t be facing Owens at Crown Jewel, he clarified that his intention was actually to protect Orton, not Owens.
Triple H explained that he’s known both men for a long time and pointed out that Owens, typically a lone wolf in the business who prioritizes money and success, had surprisingly trusted Orton and Cody Rhodes. Triple H then reminded Orton that he’s recently come back from an 18-month injury recovery.
Orton clarified that he didn’t call down Paul Levesque or the COO of a multi-billion-dollar company—he wanted “The Game” to handle things. He insisted that if Triple H were in his position, he wouldn’t just let it go but would settle it in the ring.
Randy again demanded a match against Owens at Crown Jewel, prompting Triple H to finally agree, but with a warning for Orton to stay on guard at all times.
Below is the updated card for Crown Jewel 2024, which will take place in Saudi Arabia on November 2nd:
– Men’s Crown Jewel Championship Match: WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. World Heavyweight Champion Gunther
– Women’s Crown Jewel Championship Match: WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax vs. Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan
– Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens
– Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. “Big” Bronson Reed
– United States Championship Match: LA Knight (c) vs. Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes
– WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill (c) vs. Damage CTRL (IYO SKY & Kairi Sane) vs. Chelsea Green & Piper Niven vs. Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson
UPDATE: Complete SmackDown Results – The Usos Reunite, New Champions Crowned
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