Why WWE Used Real Barbed Wire For Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn went to war at Elimination Chamber.

After believing Sami Zayn had turned his back on him as he tried to win the Undisputed WWE Championship, Kevin Owens decided his former friend needed to learn a lesson. This saw Owens fell Zayn with Package Piledriver before the broken Zayn agreed to an unsanctioned match at Elimination Chamber.

During the highly emotional encounter, Owens and Zayn battered each other with chairs, hockey sticks, trash cans, tables, and even a chair wrapped in barbed wire in search of victory.

After Owens got the win with two powerbombs onto the ring apron, he looked to continue the punishment and exposed the concrete floor. However, he was thwarted by the surprise return of Randy Orton, whom he’d put out of action months earlier.

Orton flattened Owens with an RKO and looked to follow up with a punt, only to be stopped by producers and backstage figures.

Interesting Detail On Sami Zayn Vs. Kevin Owens

According to a report from Fightful Select, the barbed wire by Owens and Zayn wasn’t shaved down or “gimmicked” in any way. Interestingly, this was one at the behest of at least one of the men involved in the match.

The same report noted that WWE was prepared for the booing that greeted the US national anthem in the moments before the show went on the air.

In recent weeks, political tensions between the United States and Canada have increased significantly, with Donald Trump claiming he wants to make Canada part of the US. The American President has also proposed trade tariffs between the two nations, which has seen some Canadians boycott American products.

Throughout the broadcast, Pat McAfee made it clear he was annoyed at the situation, making several references to the booing.