Kevin Owens addresses Sami Zayn's interference at SmackDown

"

TORONTO, CANADA - AUGUST 21: Kevin Owens makes his way to the ring during SmackDown at Scotiabank Arena on August 21, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images) | WWE via Getty Images How would Kevin Owens respond to what his old friend Sami Zayn did to cost him the WWE championship against CM Punk last week in Toronto? That was the sell for this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown in Ottawa, the big follow up to what was a smashing success for WWE up north. KO kicked off the show to give us our answer right away. It was, as he called it, one of the most disappointing nights of his career. It hurt worse than any of the many other losses in title matches before it. He fought like hell to return to WWE, chose to challenge for the title with his family in the building, and all he wanted was to win in front of his mother, who has been through hell with her health and has a hard time traveling. It was not to be. Because of Sami Zayn. Kevin Owens will NEVER be able to forgive Sami Zayn for costing him the WWE Title last week! 😨@FightOwensFight pic.twitter.com/kgsKR526bs — WWE (@WWE) August 29, 2026 “I can’t forget it, I can’t forgive it,” Owens said. “I will never get an opportunity like that again, where all the stars align.” The date, the time, the place, the folks in attendance, even the opponent. Owens promised to deal with Zayn in due time. He went on to make clear he’s still singularly focused on CM Punk and taking the title from him. GUNTHER and Finn Balor threw their name in as potentially next opponents for the champ, and SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis booked a triple threat to decide who will be next up. We’ll see if Zayn stays away from that one. Get complete SmackDown results and coverage of this week’s entire episode by clicking here.