Kevin Owens interview added to WWE SmackDown
One night before the Royal Rumble, Kevin Owens will get a chance to speak on WWE SmackDown.
SmackDown commentator Joe Tessitore will conduct an interview with Owens in the ring on tonight’s show. It will be part of a special commercial-free first hour of the episode.
The segment comes one week after Owens confronted Tessitore, berating him and questioning his journalistic integrity after Tessitore interviewed Cody Rhodes instead of Owens. Tessitore said he’s thought about what Owens said and will give him equal time tonight.
“I can’t condone Kevin Owens’ actions of threatening and attacks,” Tessitore said. “However, I will say this: I’ve given it some thought and I do want to give him his fair and balanced equal time. So tonight, in a commercial-free first hour of SmackDown, I will be in this ring with KO the night before he challenges Cody Rhodes.”
Rhodes is defending his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Owens in a ladder match at the Royal Rumble tomorrow night.
Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis is the venue for tonight’s SmackDown. The following matches and segments have been announced for the show:
WWE SmackDown (Friday, January 31) —
- Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green defends against Michin
- DIY & Pretty Deadly (Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Elton Prince & Kit Wilson) vs. Motor City Machine Guns & Los Garza (Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Berto & Angel)
- Jimmy Uso vs. Carmelo Hayes
- Liv Morgan vs. Naomi
- Joe Tessitore interviews Kevin Owens
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.