This week’s episode of SmackDown kicked off with Randy Orton making his way to the ring. As Orton walked through the Gorilla position he stopped to confront Triple H who brushed him off. The Viper followed up by getting in the ring and brought up how Nick Aldis told him a match with Kevin Owens is above his pay grade. He said he knows who he needs to talk, so he called out Triple H.
When Triple H came down to the ring Randy Orton accused Triple H of protecting Kevin Owens. Orton tried to get Triple H to admit it as Hunter repeatedly told him the match with Owens isn’t going to happen.
Triple H told Orton he’s not protecting Kevin Owens, he’s trying to protect Randy Orton. The Viper looked upset, but Triple H explained that Kevin Owens has been all business since he walked into WWE. He said Owens never had a friend because he’s all business. Triple H said for the first time ever KO let his guard down when he trusted Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton, and in KO’s mind they turned on him.
The Game explained to Randy that there’s something different about Kevin Owens now, so he doesn’t want to put Randy in the ring with him. He told Orton he just got him back, and he can’t risk Orton being taken out of action permanently.
Randy Orton responded and told Triple H that he doesn’t want Paul Levesque, he wants The Game, The Cerebral Assassin. He brought up how Triple H previously broke into his house and asked what Triple H would do if he were in his shoes. The Viper said Triple H wouldn’t let it slide, he would do what they always do, and handle it in the ring.
He asked Hunter to give him what he wants as the fans chanted “RKO.” Triple H told the fans that he hopes they know what they’re asking for. He then told Orton that if he wants Kevin Owens at Crown Jewel he’s got him. Before he left the ring he said, “Randy, I suggest you protect yourself at all times.”
