In October 2018, Elias and Kevin Owens drew one of the largest reactions in modern WWE history when they ripped the Seattle crowd for not having a basketball team.
The fans booed the duo for minutes as Owens and Elias soaked in the reaction while also continuing to jab the crowd with a reference to Oklahoma City. The Seattle SuperSonics were moved to Oklahoma City in 2008.
Speaking to Lilian Garcia on Chasing Glory, Elias discussed the infamous segment and how they went well over their scheduled time as they milked the reaction.
"In Seattle, that one stands out because it was so long and loud. They were booing so much. It was the product of those reactions leading up to that night. They knew at some point that I was going to get them, and when I did, they were going to get me back. I said the line, 'it doesn't make sense to have a basketball team in Seattle.' They unloaded all the anger they had in their lives on me. I said it and they went so hard and didn't let up. I was just gonna let them live it out. When we're on TV, you're given three or four minutes. If you start messing with those times, there is a ripple effect. When you get backstage, you're gonna hear it. I've done that many times where I've gone over time. That was one of those times where I came to the back and we were given four minutes. They booed for like eight minutes. I came to the back and people were like, 'that was incredible.' I was thinking, 'I had fun out there, but when I get backstage, they are going to hand it to me,'" recalled Elias.
The segment caught the attention of former SuperSonics greats Detlef Schrempf and Brent Barry, who responded to Elias and Owens.
Former WWE writer Kazeem Fumuyide spoke with Fightful in 2019 about the segment and helping Elias. You can find his full comments by clicking here.
If you use any of the quotes above, please give a h/t and link back to Fightful for the transcription.
