Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro: WWE SummerSlam 2015 Will Launch Epic Rivalry

Kevin Owens versus Cesaro is the kind of match that could easily main-event any card in WWE. Each man is doing some very good work right now, and the heat they have is combustible, capable of exploding at any moment.

However, some could argue this match will get lost in the shuffle on the huge SummerSlam card coming up on August 23. But this bout is just the start of an epic rivalry in WWE.

This match has the potential to steal the show, and the reasons for that, of course, are the two men involved. 

On one side is Owens, the hottest property to come from NXT since The Shield and the man who took John Cena to the limit on three occasions. Owens went from being an indie legend to NXT champion to main event prospect on WWE's main roster, and he did it all by just being himself.

Owens is an old-school heel in every sense of the word. He doesn't pander to the fans, he doesn't try to be cool, he just walks to the ring and beats up everyone in his way.

He has the icy demeanor of Ole Anderson and the dynamic move set of Bam Bam Bigelow. He cuts disarming promos with a stone-faced delivery and he has the confidence of a bouncer in the roughest bar in town.

He is the kind of heel who would have thrived during the territory days of the business and is the right man to climb the ladder in WWE today.

Cesaro has a swagger like no other star in WWE. He is fully confident in his abilities yet does not boast about what he can do in the ring. He is freakishly strong but can also out-wrestle anyone in the locker room.

He has had a few different opportunities to succeed, but this is the first time he has really gotten some traction with both the company and the fans. WWE seems committed to him, and he has never looked better.

He is a different kind of protagonist—he has not gotten over because of big words or big actions but because of the respect fans have for him.

Cesaro has waited long enough for his opportunity. His time is now.

That chance could not come against a better opponent than Owens. These two are the perfect pairing, matching up both in terms of character and in the ring as well.

Owens is a sleeker version of Cesaro, only with a bad attitude and self-serving agenda. Cesaro is the carefree yet intense spirit whom Owens could be were he not obsessed with being the big-fight performer cashing in his paycheck.

They're more similar than anyone likely ever realized.

But this is not about what they have in common—it's the feud they're involved in. WWE is famous for its rivalries, rivalries that feature top talents waging war in compelling stories, and this one will be no different.

Rather than centering on revenge or hatred as some of those rivalries have, this one is more about who's the better man.

This focuses on their abilities in the ring and the bragging rights that go along with being the best. For WWE fans who care more about the actual wrestling, Owens versus Cesaro is the perfect feud, and it will truly begin at SummerSlam.

Brock Lesnar versus Undertaker will be hard to top. Cena versus Seth Rollins could be a Match of the Year candidate.

But Cesaro and Owens will bring it like no other match on the card, and they will do it as a prologue of what's to come.

This is their time to prove they can not only steal the show but do it consistently. Owens will regain the spotlight lost when he unsuccessfully battled Cena, and Cesaro will finally get over the hump as a top star.

All of this will happen without the added bonus of a championship in the mix. This rivalry is about prepping for that spot, about getting them to that point. There is enough fan interest and intrigue that no title is needed to get the spotlight.

The level of respect fans have for both guys is enough to get them watching on August 23 and caring about what happens next. Cesaro and Owens will emerge from this feud stronger than when they went in, and in the long run, that's what matters most.

This rivalry will be great for both men, and it's only just beginning at SummerSlam.

Tom Clark's work can regularly be found on Bleacher Report and his podcast, Tom Clark's Main Event, is available on iTunes, Google Play, Windows Phone, Amazon Android and online here.