WWE veteran reveals what Kevin Owens & Cody Rhodes gained following SNME

Although Cody Rhodes won the Undisputed WWE Title match at Saturday Night's Main Event, Kevin Owens ensured The American Nightmare was stretchered out of the arena. Wrestling veteran Dutch Mantell recently spilled the beans on what the two superstars walked away with after their epic showdown.

Rhodes and The Prizefighter have been locked in a bitter feud since the latter's heel turn at Bad Blood 2024. Their intense rivalry reached a boiling point at SNME on December 14, 2024, when they clashed for the Undisputed WWE Championship.

In a chaotic climax, Kevin Owens attempted to utilize a steel chair against Rhodes, but the latter countered the move. The American Nightmare then delivered a devastating Cross Rhodes onto the steel chair, securing a victory and retaining his title.

However, Kevin Owens didn't stop there. KO followed up with a Package Piledriver on Cody Rhodes when the latter was celebrating his victory. The champion was stretchered out of the arena.

On his Story Time with Dutch Mantell podcast, the former WWE manager stated that The Prizefighter gained more heat and The American Nightmare garnered more support following their match at Saturday Night's Main Event.

"I think both of them left stronger than they went in. I think Kevin Owens left with more heat than he had before he went in, and he got beat. And I think Cody [Rhodes], now he has more support," Mantell said. [From 32:25 to 32:45]

You can watch the full episode below:

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Dutch Mantell comments on WWE star Kevin Owens' heel turn

At SNME, KO stole The American Nightmare's Winged Eagle version of the Undisputed WWE Championship. Furthermore, the former United States Champion engaged in a heated physical confrontation with Triple H.

Speaking on Sportskeeda's Smack Talk, Dutch Mantell agreed with the notion that KO ''has a point.'' The veteran added that Owens' heel turn has been perfectly executed, as the creative team has portrayed the star as the victim of the situation.

"He has a point. He could make a point; this is how it led up to this. Remember this, I was told this many many years ago by an old-time wrestler. He said a great heel is always the victim. Always. He had a point. Whoever is writing this story is making him a great heel," he said.

In this week's episode of Friday Night SmackDown, The Prizefighter declared that he wouldn't give up the Winged Eagle version of the title until he received the recognition he deserved.

Fans will have to wait and see what transpires between Owens and Rhodes after the 39-year-old returns to WWE TV.

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Please credit Story Time with Dutch Mantell and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from the first half of this article.