AJ Styles defeats Kevin Owens at MSG House Show to become new US Champion

Remember that thing about title changes not happening at house shows? Apparently nobody told AJ Styles.

This past Tuesday night on Smackdown Live, AJ Styles emerged victorious in a Battle Royal to crown and new #1 contender for Kevin Owens’ United States Championship. Styles was scheduled to get that title shot at WWE Battleground later this month in Philly.

Phenomenal. #AndNew #USTitle @TheGarden @AJStylesOrg pic.twitter.com/N7GWONvwrT

— WWE (@WWE) July 8, 2017

Just moments ago inside of Madison Square Garden at a WWE Live event, Styles decided to give the New York faithful what they paid for. The “Phenomenal One” got his title opportunity a few weeks early and he made the best of it by defeating Owens to become the new WWE United States Champion.

This is Styles’ first reign as US Champion. He previously held the WWE Championship for 140 days before losing it to John Cena earlier this year at the Royal Rumble.

image credit – @TheZackLethal