Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose Storyline Needs Added Depth Past WWE TLC 2015

Kevin Owens and Dean Ambrose may well end up putting on a stunning display of in-ring theater at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2015, but it won't be thanks to the company's Creative team.

A pairing of two of WWE's best talents in a feud over the Intercontinental Championship should feel bigger than it does heading into the pay-per-view. It should be a throwback to the days when that title featured massive names digging into each other for gold, glory and revenge.

As the Owens and Ambrose story continues, WWE is going to need to add layers to it. For now, it's a cardboard-thin tale.

Their issues began in early November when Owens feigned a low blow, convincing the referee to disqualify Ambrose. The Lunatic Fringe then raved backstage about how he was cheated and that he was a superior wrestler to the champion.

Seth Rollins' injury derailed whatever WWE had planned past that point. The two men found themselves fighting for the world title in a tournament where Roman Reigns was the clear star.

At Survivor Series, Ambrose defeated Owens to advance to the finals.

That should have been the catalyst for the next stage of their feud, Ambrose claiming that the victory proved his superiority and earned him a title shot. Instead, WWE skipped past that part and made the match. 

On Monday's Raw, Ambrose and Owens clashed in an effort to help set up that bout.

Owens had just beaten down a game Dolph Ziggler when Ambrose arrived with snacks in-hand. He then threw popcorn and soda in Owens' face. 

Oddly enough, that was the extent of their interaction. WWE handed out no promo time to either man despite them being among the best talkers in the business.

It's a decision that had many, including Daily DDT's Rob Wolkenbrod, wondering why Roman Reigns had an opportunity to spill his guts and neither Owens nor Ambrose did:

Even R-Truth got a chance to open up during his IC title hunt two years ago. Champion and challenger would benefit greatly from that kind of interview.

Where is the talk of Ambrose badly wanting the title as he had heading into WrestleMania? Where is the video of Owens training in a gym, telling the camera that he is the best prizefighter on the roster and that no one is talking his title from him?

An absence of moments like that has the angle not reaching its full potential. And as pro wrestling writer Kevin Berge tweeted, the action is sure to be good, but the narrative leading up to it sure hasn't been:

On the final SmackDown before TLC, WWE wisely put these two in a contract-signing segment. Unfortunately, it featured more of Owens' fictional attorney than the champ himself.

Ambrose stood at the table flustered that his opponent was not in striking range. Instead, Owens apparently gave power of attorney to a young, tight-lipped lawyer.

A brawl did break out, but the segment underwhelmed. WWE can't afford to add convoluted elements like this.

It doesn't fit with Owens' character that he would try to hide behind a one-man legal team. He should be cracking folks in the head, leaving a trail of broken wrestlers behind him.

The focus of this story should be on the pursuit of the IC title. That mixed with personal issues will be where WWE can create depth here.

At TLC, Owens should win a hard-fought battle by underhanded means. He should leave Ambrose and his fans feeling that the babyface was just moments away from victory, that if Owens hadn't knocked him out with the chair behind the referee's back, that he would be champion.

It would then be time for Ambrose to rant on the next Raw about not being done with Owens, and how he's not going to be denied a chance at a title he has long pined for.

WWE would be smart to tie in his chase for the gold from earlier this year. Bring up how close he came at WrestleMania to grabbing it, show clips of his comments about the title and have the announcers spell out that it's been since May of 2014 that The Lunatic Fringe has held a championship of any kind.

Paint him as increasingly desperate and hungry.

As for Owens, he needs to beat him on lower-rung opponents while building up to his next title defense. Make him look like a beast, a destroyer, a worthy champ.

And he needs a reason to have great animosity for Ambrose, even if it's just that he doesn't feel that Ambrose is worthy of the IC title. That's better than "I'm mad because he threw soda in my face"

Owens needs motivation to go hunting down the fan favorite and attacking him backstage. He should want to hurt the No. 1 contender in the most merciless of ways.

Adding all those elements makes this far more than the midcard fare that it feels like right now. It puts spotlight on two emerging stars. It elevates the IC title in the process.

Owens and Ambrose will no doubt give a first-rate effort at TLC. It's WWE Creative's turn to starting putting in work and to transform that rivalry into the blockbuster it can be.