… and he claims Owens is lying to himself when he states that he’s going to soften up Kofi for Dolph Ziggler.

Kevin Owens, who has been at odds with The New Day for several weeks, kicked off SmackDown LIVE to rail against WWE Champion Kofi Kingston, wondering aloud how much longer Kofi could continue at the same breakneck pace that he’s set since his title victory at WrestleMania. Owens suggested that he would be the one to save Kofi from himself … by wearing Kofi down prior to his title defense at WWE Super ShowDown against Dolph Ziggler and then subsequently turning around and defeating Ziggler for the WWE Title. Kofi hit the scene for his bout against Owens, proclaiming that tonight would be the night Owens paid for everything he’s done to his New Day brothers.