Kevin Owens on the Road to Wrestlemania

[Hyorinmaru]

I hope they give him the IC title back, in fact they never should have taken it off him. I like Ambrose but he's to involved with Roman Reigns and that situation to give the title the attention it deserves. Let Owens win the title back at the Rumble and push him to the moon as champion that way you can have a plucky face (Neville springs to mind) win the title at WrestleMania and get a huge rub when they do. Done right it could be one of the bigger WrestleMania moments.

 

[swallop]

Why have him win a title he's already won. I see bigger and better things for kevin owens. Like winning the royal rumble and main eventing wrestlemania. We Know that they want roman to hold the title to mania as a face. So they need to put there biggest heel against him. Kevin owens comes to mind. Him winning the rumble would make him a star. Even if he does lose to roman at mania, I Personally would want owens to go over but we know that wwe wants reigns to be the next john cena.

 

[OYDK]

Nah, they already took it off him. To give it right back would not only completely destroy any momentum Ambrose has gained, it would also be like taking a step back at this point for Owens. And you want him to lose to Neville? That's a quick way to irreparably damage your top prospect of 2016. There are obviously bigger plans in store for him, I'd say bigger than being IC champ and losing to Neville at least.

Let's wait and see what happens.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

They're trying to build Neville up for when Balor comes in... I've a feeling we might see Neville turn heel and team with Owens yet.

Everyone clamouring for him to get main event now is wrong... Look at Rollins, they took their time and it worked. Reigns took longer but it appears to be finally clicking... it's VERY rare for guys to get rushed within 2 years... it rarely pays off. Only Kurt and Brock ever really did. Jericho is the cautionary tale here... he was red hot in 2000/2001 but they botched it cos of ego... The right thing was giving him the title properly when he beat Trips, but they didn't follow through and it backfired when they did.

Owens is better waiting for Cena to be back, to be the champ that one last time or be the guy who stops him matching Flair's record by taking it for himself. MITB is better than the Rumble for that. That's how you get Owens to that level but that's a year or two off still. For now let him build like Triple H did - 4 solid years moving up the card so that when he takes the title - it looks and feels right for him to have it and by then some of his guaranteed top guys to work with like Balor will also be in the hunt.

 

[Hyorinmaru]

Ambrose not doing anything with the title damages it even more. And why have Owens go completely nuts like he has been since losing it & saying he's gonna get it back I you're not gonna give it to him. Another run with the title won't damage Owens in the least.


Yes Neville. They already have a feud built in after the Slammy awards with Neville winning breakout star of the year & Owens saying it should have been his. Yes he'll need his own push to make it believable but the pieces are all right there all WWE needs to do is put them together.

 

[OYDK]

Ambrose not doing anything with the title damages it even more.

He's facing Owens at the PPV. The heck's the difference from when Owens had it and defended against Ambrose? He's had it for like 3 weeks. Let it ride before cutting a fan favorite off at the knees AGAIN.

And why have Owens go completely nuts like he has been since losing it & saying he's gonna get it back I you're not gonna give it to him.

Because it makes no sense to give it back to him at this point. He's beginning to evolve his character into a more ruthless version of himself, why take the step back when he's ready to move forward? I'd rather see him get DQ'd and destroy Ambrose afterwards leading to a big match for him at Mania. He's outgrown the IC title.

Another run with the title won't damage Owens in the least.

It'll keep him stagnant.

Yes Neville. They already have a feud built in after the Slammy awards with Neville winning breakout star of the year & Owens saying it should have been his. Yes he'll need his own push to make it believable but the pieces are all right there all WWE needs to do is put them together.

Point is, you don't job your top prospect out at Wrestlemania to somebody way lower than him on your totem pole. That's just bad business. If Owens loses to Neville, why should I ever believe him as worthy of facing somebody like Lesnar or Reigns?

 

[Hyorinmaru]

You need to go look up the definition of the word Job because I never once said he needed or should job to anyone ever.

A loss in a hard hitting well choreographed match won't hurt him at all. He would still have all the momentum to go into the World title picture and whoever beat him would automatically be a big deal by not only winning the title at WrestleMania but by beating Kevin Owens to do it.

I know I'm in minority (Judging by the responses) but it's something I would love to have happen.

 

[justinsayne]

If the rumors of Owens/Brock at WM are true, then having Owens drop the belt & go nuts & showing a more ruthless side is the right direction. Owens doesn't need the belt, & having him go against Brock while holding the title would be an awful idea, especially if Brock is the one going over.

Ambrose is fine with the belt, he is doing something with it, he's feuding with Owens over it, while still trying to help his "brother" fight the LoN & The Authority, so he's not doing ANY damage to the title right now anyway, having him hot potato the title back to Owens would actually do more damage to both him & the title, it'd make Ambrose look like a bitch & fluke champion, & would potentially devalue to title heading into WM, once again, if the rumors of Brock/Owens are true.

 

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

How about Kevin Owens defeating Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania ? Why does Brock have to win every match he's in with his domination gimmick? That could turn into a great Kevin Owens launching pad coming off WM.

 

[Navi]

How about Kevin Owens defeating Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania ? Why does Brock have to win every match he's in with his domination gimmick? That could turn into a great Kevin Owens launching pad coming off WM.

Now that would be absolutely fanfuckingtastic and what a message that would send. Doubt it would happen but Jesus what a Mania moment that would be.

I would leave the title off Owens, he's much better at being mad about losing it and chasing it for a little while.

 

[J.J.]

As much as I like Owens as a worker I don't see him being on Lesnar's level, by no means would I advocate that yet. Let him work the mid card scene with the likes of Ambrose, Neville, Ziggler, ect. Then after WM, build up the next batch of workers then potentially elevate him to the main event scene.

You need a solid mid card scene to round out the next 3 PPVs. You can't pit everyone as being held down if they're not in the main event, ridiculous. Raw and the PPVs would be so much better leading up to the main event if there were solid mid card feuds. Everyone isn't prepared for the main event yet. Owens is not a convincing heel to the live audience no matter how many of you look at it. How is he a top heel if he's cheered?

Someone pointed out that Owens dropping the IC title means he's on to bigger and better things. I haven't seen that as the case over the last several years. The IC title hasn't been a stepping stone to the main event in over a decade at least.

Build him up more + mid card.

 

[The Butcher]

I like how the IC title is still so close to heart of the fans that it blinds us to the fact that it's worthless. Every time I see it out there with that classic design I want it euthanized. Owens and Ambrose can trade it back and forth all they want; it's not going to make a significant difference for either of them nor will they for the belt.

Lesnar and Owens doesn't appeal to me as a feud. A match between the two would be great, sure, but if they were just going to have a match then they could do it at a house show and air it on the Network. The ingredients for a fine feud look to be there, but frankly I don't trust the chef.

How about Kevin Owens defeating Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania ?

It's hard to fathom right now, but WWE could build Owens up to be a real threat to Brock before WrestleMania. I simply don't trust them to. This is the company that, in an effort to build up Roman Reigns, who was over, to fight Lesnar at WrestleMania, ended up making Reigns so not over that he's just recently getting over again. And that's with Reigns looking like he does, being late of The Shield, and being a direct descendant of Rocky Maivia. I welcome them to show me my concerns are irrational.

Why does Brock have to win every match he's in with his domination gimmick?

He hasn't. It could be (and has been, I'm sure) argued he's lost too often since becoming The Conqueror.

That could turn into a great Kevin Owens launching pad coming off WM.

You're absolutely right. It could. Just like shenanigans-free a win over John Cena in his first match could have. Just like the IC title, ideally, should. WWE screws good things up too often for me to approach a Lesnar/Owens feud with anything but trepidation.

I think Owens'll do fine for himself at WrestleMania. I don't see him in the Andre the Giant Battle Royal or off the card. Hopefully, for his sake, he finds something better than the IC title and a bit less harrowing than the Beast.

 

[Mustang Sally]

I like how the IC title is still so close to heart of the fans that it blinds us to the fact that it's worthless.

Essentially yes, yet as John Cena showed, the value of a minor title is dependent on who's wearing it. Plainly, WWE decided to raise the worth of the IC belt by having Daniel Bryan win it, and the only reason nothing came of that were the misfortunes that knocked him out of the line-up.

Still, I get the feeling Dean Ambrose taking the belt is going to result in more of a push for Kevin Owens than Dean. Either Owens is destined to win it back after a feud.....or he'll use the battles with Ambrose to boost himself in some other fashion.

Someone in this topic said Ambrose is too involved with Roman Reigns' wars to give the IC title proper representation, but the notion that the IC isn't really worth much.....and Dean can lose it without suffering a hit to his rep.....is the key here.

As Owens has been showing, he wants that IC belt. He's been strutting around with it since he won it, and chasing Dean Ambrose for it can amount to a program in itself.

However it turns out, Kevin Owens is gonna come out better for it in the end.

 

[J.J.]

Essentially yes, yet as John Cena showed, the value of a minor title is dependent on who's wearing it. Plainly, WWE decided to raise the worth of the IC belt by having Daniel Bryan win it, and the only reason nothing came of that were the misfortunes that knocked him out of the line-up

I'm not sure what the intentions are but nobody since Cody Rhodes has had a level of success with the IC title. It did no justice for Big E, Wade Barrett, Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, Luke Harper - it really doesn't matter who has it, it boils down to have much they want to emphasize it creative wise.

Ambrose still hanging up under Reigns takes some of the shine off him. He cannot be overshadowed over Reigns. I think because of this, gives Owens an advantage - I enjoy the cat and mouse game with the IC title and it'll be not only good for the IC title but for the mid card as well that has been lost in love triangle feuds and head scratching feuds.

 

[Azane]

How about Kevin Owens defeating Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania ? Why does Brock have to win every match he's in with his domination gimmick? That could turn into a great Kevin Owens launching pad coming off WM.

Because Brock Lesnar has creative control in his contract, he can't lose, and make anyone on the roster look good, he's gotta constantly come back every few months to remind us how weak everyone in WWE is compared to his contract clause.

Owens needs to dabble with upper midcard or lower main event players, not Brock, Brock is cancer to half the roster (Every other discussion lately is "He can't hang with Brock, they shouldn't push him")
They've been pretty good about fast tracking Owens career, he went from debut to Champion in nXt in no time, and his main roster debut vs Cena was fantastic to make him an immediate threat to anything. I can't see Owens beating Brock clean, but I would prefer he go in another direction, if Owens even enters the RR, I would put him as about 8th on my favorite list, he would have a chance (assuming he doesnt win the title vs dean, DQ or lose), I wouldnt say it's farfetched for WWE to want to put him in the World Title Scene soon, considering our top heel is..... Sheamus

 

[Vanilla Midget]

A lot of people question Owens and others not being on Brock's level. The question I think we all have to ask is how long until you run out of opponents for him that are on this supposed other level?

Undertaker, Triple H, John Cena, and Seth Rollins have all been done. The way Brock has been booked he's on this mythical rare god level, which is fine because it sells seats, but you also start to run out of opponents that fit the bill.

But that's just it, fit the bill. The bill doesn't exist. Lesnar's booking as an immovable object is just booking, there's no law or tried tested and true formula here. Brock is a draw and that draw needs an opponent.

Orton is hurt, Rock and Batista aren't coming back. Who does that leave? It's time to push someone to the next level, so why not KO?

I like Owens, I wouldn't say I'm a mark, but I'm one of those cheering for Bret and booing Shawn types that has a bias towards my countrymen. They already put him over Cena in a huge way, although Cena ultimately won the feud.

He's had a big presence since, some saw the Cesaro feud as a step down but I disagree. What he's lacked is a proper foil. WWE didn't allow Ryback to become that guy, which I'm fine with. Truthfully the best thing for KO would be a long back and forth feud with Ambrose, but we might not get that if they push Owens to the next level.

Brock is facing a fresh opponent at WrestleMania 32. He might be winning the Rumble, but I have my doubts there as they would have to really up Brock's heel game. Against someone like Owens, Brock can be Brock and KO can be an old school heel to sell the match.

If they are going to push Owens he needs a missing piece, and he needs consistent booking. I don't think he's the best choice to face Lesnar, but it certainly won't hurt either if WWE decides to go with the match.

 

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

They could also do a heel vs heel match for Owens at Wrestlemania. Samoa Joe shocks the universe at some show by attacking Dean Ambrose costing Kevin Owens his belt. Kevin Owens gets revenge the following week and we have a vicious feud that explodes at Wrestlemania. Samoa Joe vs Kevin Owens would be a classic. Fans would cheer both even though they are heels.

 

[Rocky84]

I really don't see how anyone would be entertained by Owens vs Brock at Mania. It's just not believable, and Owens doesn't deserve it yet. Sure the options for Brock are slim, but there are still better options than Owens. The dude just came into the federation and like someone else mentioned, he was already fast tracked in NXT. Let him prove himself more...plus the casual fan doesn't know him at all...how's that gunna sell tickets for Mania? Look what Brock has done to Cena, Taker, Rollins, and Reigns. How the hell will Owens be different?

Other options include, Bray Wyatt and the Family...more suitable and entertaining as we've seen the supernatural have an affect on Brock in his Mania 30 Taker feud, not to mention he's outnumbered in a bad way and the promos, build/story and believability would be much much better.

Or Samoa Joe...a name with history in the business and one who is a tough s.o.b who could stand toe to toe with Brock.

Then there's still guys like Sting or even Daniel Bryan who could be like the David vs Goliath story who can believably beat Brock with the Hulkamaniac type power he gets from the fans. Then there's Batista who may come back and has talked about it recently...he's always wanted a match with Brock.

There's many other options, but as for Owens...no Brock, and he doesn't need to win the IC title. They could take this new rage monster who's angry at not getting the belt, and make him even bigger (like the Hulk gets as he's gets more pissed) and transition in to something else as a result of his IC Title chase...a better storyline like they always do. Just because he's focusing on one thing doesn't mean he has to stay on that path...someone can easily come in and cost him another shot and develop a whole different feud which still maintains and grows this furious character.

I'd put him against someone like Daniel Bryan at Mania...not Neville...no way.

 

[KromyD]

Ambrose to beat Owens & Ziggler at Rumble than Owens to win the title back at Fastlane in a singles match.

Sets up a Finn Balor debut a month out from WM32 on Raw, with there match taking place at the grandest stage with some sort of stipulation. Balor winning the I.C title on debut (If he aint in the rumble).

 

[J.J.]

Ambrose to beat Owens & Ziggler at Rumble than Owens to win the title back at Fastlane in a singles match.

Sets up a Finn Balor debut a month out from WM32 on Raw, with there match taking place at the grandest stage with some sort of stipulation. Balor winning the I.C title on debut (If he aint in the rumble).

This is what I don't get. There's several people on the mid card scene that aren't utilized and need good programs. Example you got good workers like Rhodes/Stardust, you have guys from New Day that could compete for a singles title, you have someone like Rusev that's lacking a program outside of LON. Jack Swagger sitting around twiddling his thumbs, you have Kalisto who can temporarily compete in the singles scene until Sin Cara returns. Neville, The Miz, Ryback, Sandow - the list of guys goes on.

So your solution is to have Owens who they could be building into a star to put a guy in NXT over at WM? You just killed the momentum of a guy that needs that push while he's over with the crowd. Passing the IC title around 4 times in a 5 month span, I'll pass. Makes no sense.

The answers don't always lay within NXT. WWE cannot continue to bring up people and put momentum behind them only to have them lose steam. I do not agree with Balor coming up until after WM. Not everyone has the Network nor do they follow NXT.

 

[ShinChan]

I think Ambrose title win was well deserved and well timed.... And he shouldnot lose it to Owens at any cost..... Ambrose can defeat Owens & Ziggler at Royal Rumble and face heel Jericho at Wrestlemania 32..... For Owens, I think if Cena is not going to main event scene, Cena should win US title at Royal Rumble from Del Rio and lose it to Owens at Wrestlemania.... What better way to increase his credibility?

 

[joshmosh127]

as much as I love Kevin Owens, lets remember Vince's "body" requirments for being the top guy i.e. WWE Champ. They aren't going to give it to a "fat" guy. would I love to see him get a big push? YES! is Vince going to put the belt on a fat guy? NO. when you are the WWE champ, you have to go on shows like Good Morning America and other shows where you can't be a straight up dick like Owens is. don't get me wrong I love Owens wrestling persona, but no matter how awesome I think he is, Vince still just looks at him and sees a "fat" guy

 

[J.J.]

as much as I love Kevin Owens, lets remember Vince's "body" requirments for being the top guy i.e. WWE Champ. They aren't going to give it to a "fat" guy. would I love to see him get a big push? YES! is Vince going to put the belt on a fat guy? NO. when you are the WWE champ, you have to go on shows like Good Morning America and other shows where you can't be a straight up dick like Owens is. don't get me wrong I love Owens wrestling persona, but no matter how awesome I think he is, Vince still just looks at him and sees a "fat" guy

How do you know Vince McMahon's perspective on Owens? Did he personally tell you? Yokozuna and Mankind weren't exactly light on their feet. Rey Mysterio, Daniel Bryan, Chris Benoit, Christian, ect weren't these larger than life guys. If they didn't have any belief in Owens he would've never went over the face of the company in his very first match on the main roster.

 

[The Butcher]

How do you know Vince McMahon's perspective on Owens? Did he personally tell you? Yokozuna and Mankind weren't exactly light on their feet. Rey Mysterio, Daniel Bryan, Chris Benoit, Christian, ect weren't these larger than life guys. If they didn't have any belief in Owens he would've never went over the face of the company in his very first match on the main roster.

I'm not saying that Owens won't get it, but Yoko was circus sideshow fat and an Anoa'i while Foley wouldn't have breathed on the WWF Championship if he hadn't tried to kill himself versus Undertaker in the Cell. The booking styles/philosophies of their respective eras worked in their favors as well. Just pointing to them as fellow fat guys doesn't tell the whole story.

You're right that there's no telling what Vince McMahon is thinking, though. At this moment he could very well have Owens penciled-in to win the top title at WrestleMania or something. Nobody knows what Vince McMahon is thinking except Vince McMahon.

Owens will have a long career in WWE, and it's possible that Vince McMahon will have to step down before KO is retired and/or used up. So if Vince is a barrier now, that doesn't disqualify Owens from ever winning the WWE Championship.

 

[J.J.]

I'm not saying that Owens won't get it, but Yoko was circus sideshow fat and an Anoa'i while Foley wouldn't have breathed on the WWF Championship if he hadn't tried to kill himself versus Undertaker in the Cell. The booking styles/philosophies of their respective eras worked in their favors as well. Just pointing to them as fellow fat guys doesn't tell the whole story.

The reason I pointed out those guys is because they're not chiseled guys, as a lot of guys that have been Champs over the years are. You're right about the Foley bit. A lot of fans were not aware of him being apart of the Anoa'i family. A lot of the reason he received a push was because of the whole steroid investigation the company was caught up in during that time. Plus it helped that he had a solid relationship with The Undertaker.

The HIAC match played a big role. Mick Foley was extremely over - much like Daniel Bryan was during his run to the top. He was embedded in a feud with Corporation around that time. His title win played a major role in WWE permenantely going over WCW. WCW thought they were being clever by revealing Mankind's title win over Nitro which resulted in a mass of viewers switching to WWE to see that main event. That was a very memorable moment on Raw. I believe it was that night that the company truly realized his star power.

The point is the weight of a worker shouldn't matter. Yokozuna was a product of a limited shelf life monster heel despite being agile in his early days of his run. Someone brought in to be booked as a dominant monster heel, booked to win big and be fed to the top face. WWE has done it over the years and probably had intentions of doing it with Umaga. They tried to do it with Mabel and King Kong Bundy.

No matter size, whoever is marketable and believable I feel will get rewarded.