Pros and Cons of Goldberg Squashing Kevin Owens at WWE Fastlane 2017

The main event of WWE Fastlane 2017 feels like a scenario where Kevin Owens is a pig fixing to get slaughtered by the mighty Goldberg. In Goldberg's last two in-ring appearances, he dominated the previously unstoppable Brock Lesnar in a storyline that will culminate in a WrestleMania main event. 

Common knowledge dictates that not only will Goldberg defeat Owens, but he'll also make quick work of the longest-reigning universal champion in WWE history. The writing might already be on the wall for Owens, but there are still pros and cons to a seemingly imminent KO demise. 

Pro: A Squash Will Maintain Momentum of Goldberg's Feud with Lesnar

WWE took a calculated risk in having Goldberg defeat Lesnar in such a one-sided fashion. This could have gone horribly wrong in an age when fan backlash can happen in the blink of an eye or the post of a tweet. Instead, fans gobbled up Goldberg's triumphant return and are buying in to the fact that he has Lesnar's number.

Goldberg's momentum is key to the development of his feud with Lesnar, and a squash of Owens—especially one that results in a world title victory—is pivotal to this formula. Goldberg is easily the most over Superstar on the roster at the moment, and it may behoove WWE to strike while the iron is hot. 

Con: Fans May Reject Another Goldberg Squash on Pay-Per-View

WWE might need to be careful about going to the well one too many times with Goldberg's quick victories. The New Era has spoiled fans with the type of high-octane matches that were once exclusive to the independent wrestling scene. Owens is more than capable of having that type of match with anybody, even if that means slowing things down a step or two for Goldberg. 

WWE's fanbase is among the most fickle. The same things it cheers for one minute can just as easily become a nuisance the next. James Ellsworth, who is aligned with Carmella, was once one of the most ironically beloved WWE Superstars in recent memory because of his appeal as a natural underdog. After being overexposed on SmackDown, however, many fans have had their fill of the former indy journeyman. 

As popular as Goldberg is right now, he could be a spear and a Jackhammer away from fans turning on him. 

Pro: Owens-Jericho Feud Will Have More Focus with One Championship at Stake 

Chris Jericho defeated Roman Reigns for the United States Championship last month in a move that seems to have been done in preparation for Owens losing the Universal Championship. With Jericho as United States champion, Owens will have something to compete for should he drop his current world title. 

Owens and Jericho's run together has been one of WWE's best stories, and it recently took another left turn when Owens assaulted his ally, effectively ending their partnership. Competing for a championship only adds prestige to this feud, and it wouldn't make sense for both men to have titles headed into WrestleMania. 

The United States Championship is not on the level of the Universal Championship, but if the Jericho-Owens feud continues its impressive build, it can rival that of Goldberg vs. Lesnar. Jericho and Owens can easily have a better technical wrestling match than the presumed WrestleMania main event, so as long as they execute, it might not matter what championship is being defended. 

Myth: Goldberg Defeating KO in a Matter of Minutes Will Damage Owens 

This couldn't be further from the truth. Owens has held the Universal Championship since August, and he is now entrenched in one of the top Raw feuds at WrestleMania.

Goldberg's iconic streak in WCW includes a who's who of that era—from Sting to Scott Hall to The Giant to Hollywood Hogan, many of whom were defeated quickly. Few, if any, were permanently damaged by losing to Goldberg, and many victims of Goldberg's white-hot run went on to do just fine. 

Owens is in that same boat, and he is too talented to be compromised by a loss to one of the biggest stars professional wrestling has ever seen. 

Alfred Konuwa is a Featured Columnist and on-air host for Bleacher Report and Forbes. Like him on Facebook.