Styles vs. Owens Finish Seems to Have Been Changed During the Show

The finish of the AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens match at Battleground appears to have been changed after the PPV already started, if betting odds for the PPV are an indication. Right before the PPV started, the “smart money” (people who know the outcomes placed their bets) came in on betting sites and AJ Styles was heavily favored to win. In fact, the only result that didn’t match the smart money betting odds was the Styles vs. Owens match, indicating that the result was likely changed at some point during the actual show.

There has even been some speculation that the end of the match was botched and Styles was supposed to actually win, but I don’t know if I buy into that. It was definitely a really weird and awkward finish, but Owens’ music was already queued up and immediately hit after his win, and Styles seemingly had plenty of time to realize he was being pinned and to kick out. The ref bump seemed to not really play into the match at all, so maybe that will come into play later somehow. Maybe they’ll say that Styles’ shoulder was up or something and the groggy ref didn’t see it. Both of Styles’ shoulders looked very much down though.

Dave and Bryan didn't have the scoop on the AJ/Owen finish – I really wonder what sources they have now nowadays? pic.twitter.com/XRsY7p0oFa

— rovert (@SoDuTw) July 24, 2017

In their SmackDown preview, WWE is playing up that there was “controversy” in the match.

Will AJ Styles continue his pursuit of the United States Championship?

WWE Battleground had more than its share of controversy, including the United States Championship battle between AJ Styles and Kevin Owens. In managing to reverse a submission hold by The Phenomenal One, KO scored a surprise three-count to reclaim his title and, perhaps, the right to once again call himself The New Face of America.