Fastlane 2019 Daniel Bryan v Kevin Owens

“The New” Daniel Bryan has a new opponent.

His name, unfortunately for Bryan, is Kevin Owens, and the circumstances of how he took the place of Bryan’s original challenger Kofi Kingston proved to be somewhat surprising for all involved, including the WWE Universe and The Dreadlocked Dynamo.

Just when Kofi was about to finally sign his contract and take his destiny in full view of The New Day, Shane McMahon, Stephanie McMahon and Bryan, WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon suddenly appeared and replaced the 11-year veteran with KO, citing his opinion that the former Universal Champion who has been out of action with a double knee injury was "more deserving" and "more qualified."

That’s a bitter pill to swallow for Kingston, who was named the challenger by Shane following an hour-long performance in a Gauntlet Match, a second-place finish in the Elimination Chamber and a pinfall victory over Bryan in a Six-Man Tag Team Match.