Dean Ambrose Is Perfect Opponent to Help Kevin Owens Rediscover Menacing Edge

Once upon a time, in a land known as NXT, there was a villain who was as dastardly and despicable as he was cunning and cerebral. His name was Kevin Owens and he would do anything to win championship gold, make the money that comes along with it and provide his family with the living he so desperately wanted for it.

To do so, he betrayed his best friend, pummeled him and left him sidelined for nearly an entire year with a damaged shoulder. In the process, he established himself as the most ruthless competitor in WWE.

Then the journey to the company's main roster essentially neutered him, removing any element of danger that had previously existed. He began racking up losses, becoming John Cena's latest victim before dropping down the card and nestling safely in a rivalry with Cesaro that produced strong matches but hardly inspired fans to buy into him.

Enter Dean Ambrose, who will challenge Owens for the WWE Intercontinental Championship at the TLC pay-per-view on December 13.

Nicknamed "The Lunatic Fringe" for the wild, chaotic and unpredictable manner in which he conducts himself in and out the ring, he provides Owens with the greatest opportunity to rediscover his menacing edge.

The majority of Ambrose's feuds end in some sort of major gimmick bout, be it Tables, Ladders & Chairs or Hell in a Cell. One of those matches—or something similar—would be the perfect platform for Owens to rediscover his inner killer, pummeling the fan favorite and instantly reaffirming the sense danger that accompanies him to the squared circle.

Even shoving aside the use of weapons or gimmicks, the pure intensity that the two bring to their matches is enough to reinvigorate Owens while instantly elevating the rivalry.

Owens brings a level of believability to his work that is unparalleled. He carries himself with great nonchalance, and the arrogance he approaches each match with helps him stand out from all of the other scripted heels on the roster.

Those two attributes were accentuated and helped make for a well-rounded and complex character the likes of which WWE is not accustomed to at this point—especially when the anger and ruthlessness were factored in.

The foundation is certainly there for the character to be great again, but until the fury and edginess that fueled him in NXT are present, fans will be left asking "what if" rather than celebrating Owens' awesomeness.

According to Court Bauer of MLW Radio (h/t Wrestling Inc), there have been internal discussions about a potential Owens-vs.-Brock Lesnar match at WrestleMania 32.

If that is the case, Owens will need to be rebuilt into the wrecking ball he was previously sometime before the start of WrestleMania season.

The last thing WWE Creative can do is suddenly try to rebuild him at the busiest point of the year and ask fans to believe in him. They need to start steadily before then, and there is no better time do that than now by allowing him to bowl over a beloved character fans believe in wholeheartedly in Ambrose.