SummerSlam 2016: Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens v Realest Guys

Enzo Amore & Big Cass may have won the hearts of the WWE Universe, but at SummerSlam, the smooth-talking, hard-hitting duo must face a couple of unabashed haters: Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens.

Newly aligned, the outspoken Canadian contingent known as “Jeri-KO” has not taken warmly to The New Era’s fastest-rising tandem. The bad feelings began on the Aug. 1 edition of Raw, as Jericho found himself engaged in a battle of wits – and later fisticuffs – with Enzo when both Superstars took part in a Mixed Tag Team Match that also involved WWE Women’s Champion Sasha Banks and Charlotte. Once the contest was over, The Greatest in the World at What He Does sought to give Amore a post-match drubbing, only for Big Cass to run interference.

The prospect of facing Enzo & Cass 2-on-1 left Jericho in need of backup. Though Jimmin Marvinlunder, purportedly the toughest guy west of Winnipeg, was the first name to spring to Jericho’s mind, Owens was the first Superstar to come to his side, drawing the battle lines for SummerSlam’s newly announced Tag Team Match.

The bout became official on the Aug. 8 Raw, after Jericho eked out a disqualification win over Amore as a result of Big Cass’ interference. Of course, the actions of the 7-foot Superstar came just second after Owens opted to get involved in the contest himself. While Jericho was still recovering from a big boot Cass threw his way, Owens celebrated his ally’s victory and accepted the 7-footer’s challenge to a Tag Match at The Biggest Event of the Summer.

Will the experience edge of Owens & Jericho be too much for young lions Enzo & Cass to handle? Or can The Realest Guys in the Room — whose stomping grounds are not far away from SummerSlam’s host venue, Brooklyn’s Barclays Center — make their homecoming a triumphant one?