Kevin Owens: Top Match, Moment and More for WWE Superstar of the Week of Feb. 20

This week started off with a bang, as Monday Night Raw offered up a title change that raised the stakes for the main event of Fastlane and cannily reshuffled the deck ahead of WrestleMania.

It's unusual to see a title change hands at this point on the WWE calendar, especially on television rather than pay-per-view. However, considering the personnel involved, it's a decision that looks set to pay major dividends as we approach the Showcase of the Immortals.

WWE Superstar of the Week of February 20: Kevin Owens

Looking over the entire WWE roster, there's no one who benefits quite as much from having a title around their waist as much as Kevin Owens. Between his five months as NXT champion and his previous spell with the Intercontinental Championship, he's demonstrated his ability to use a reign to its full advantage.

Owens' superficially cocky character simply works better while he's in possession of the gold. Any loss he picks up can be explained away on the mic as being irrelevant thanks to his status as  champion, whereas wins—however they're earned—are simply yet more proof he's deserving of the title.

Comparatively, in recent weeks, Dean Ambrose was too focused on the prospect of challenging for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship to take care of the prize he was already wearing. Monday's title switch may have come as something of a shock, but it makes a lot of sense in context.

Kevin Owens' Defining Moment for the Week of February 20: Winning the Intercontinental Championship on Monday Night Raw

It's easy to forget it hasn't even been a full year since Owens made the transition from NXT to the main roster. Despite losing a fair amount of matches since last May, he's been sufficiently well protected that reclaiming the Intercontinental Championship should return him to a position further up the card.

In recent weeks, there has been plenty of discussion about who will do what come WrestleMania. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Wrestle Zone) reported Owens had put his name forward for a match with Undertaker, only to be turned down.

At the time, this raised questions of whether there would be room for Owens to receive a spotlight match on the card. Now he's Intercontinental champion, it seems likely he will be involved in a major bout—perhaps a clash with fellow indy darling AJ Styles?

However, this isn't just a matter of good planning for the future. An excellent multi-man match set a pace the rest of Raw couldn't live up to—which should be no surprise given the quality of the wrestlers involved.

Owens' post-match interview with Renee Young was also perfect. Being able to gloat well is a key skill for any pro wrestling villain, but few have managed to master the art quite as comprehensively as The Prizefighter.

Social Response

It's perhaps fair to say that, in the case of Kevin Owens, the most important social response is always going to come from the man himself. Few use Twitter as effectively as he does, and this week was obviously no exception.

"

Back where it belongs…and I’m not done. In 48 days, I turn #WrestleMania32 into the first ever #KOMania pic.twitter.com/qcsKdp0ZMW

— Kevin Owens (@FightOwensFight) February 16, 2016"

"

Live to block. Block to live.

— Kevin Owens (@FightOwensFight) February 17, 2016"

"

Considering the source and the fact that he was most likely out of breath from making the sign, it didn’t bother me. https://t.co/bN551knLDA

— Kevin Owens (@FightOwensFight) February 17, 2016"

Owens wasn't the only one celebrating his achievements. Fans, pundits and WWE personnel alike were quick to praise the match and congratulate its winner for adding another Intercontinental Championship reign to his resume.

KO wasn't the only one receiving praise, though. It's a testament to the depth of the roster, even despite a host of injuries, that all five men involved in the match—Owens, Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler, Stardust and Tyler Breeze—were able to contribute a great deal to the overall contest.

Looking forward to Fastlane, Owens will have his hands full as Ziggler challenges for his newly won title. That's a match some fans are eager to see once again, but others are less enthused because of the fact it's something of a re-run.

Who was your Superstar of the Week? What's your response to Kevin Owens reclaiming the Intercontinental Championship? Join the conversation in the comments section below.