During tonight’s Smackdown Live, Vince McMahon used his power to make a significant change to a previously scheduled match at Fastlane.
During the opening segment featuring a contract signing for the previously scheduled WWE Championship match between Daniel Bryan and Kofi Kingston, Vince McMahon interrupted and pulled Kingston from the match in two weeks.
McMahon announced that Kingston would be replaced by the returning Kevin Owens.
Excerpt courtesy of Roy Nemer’s live Smackdown recap:
Vince McMahon gets on the microphone and says Kofi is extraordinary. But before this contract is official, he wants to tell him that he appreciates everything he has done. Truly remarkable. However, it’s up to him to give the highest caliber of competition as he possible can. Therefore, Kofi is being replaced. Vince says he has no alternatives with a man that is more deserving. More qualified than Kofi. Vince says the man who will face Daniel Bryan at Fastlane is Kevin Owens and out he comes.
Kevin Owens gets in the ring and sits on the chair. Big E and Xavier Woods are arguing with Shane McMahon as Kevin Owens signs the contract. The fans chant “Kofi” as The New Day leave the ring. The crowd is against it with the fans chanting “Kofi”.