Kevin Owens' Best Booking Options for WWE WrestleMania 32

Kevin Owens is one of the most talented professional wrestlers on the WWE roster but you would never know it if you were to look at the WrestleMania 32 lineup, mostly because the Intercontinental champion has not been booked for the Showcase of the Immortals to this point.

Owens, the man who debuted last May and proceeded to defeat John Cena in his first pay-per-view match on the main roster. The only legitimate heel the company has at or near the top of the card on a full-time basis. One of the most captivating characters in the business when allowed to explore that persona.

That Kevin Owens.

It is disconcerting to see someone who has bailed the company out of so many sticky situations—either via incredible in-ring performances or by simply being a traditional villain less concerned with being cool than getting fans to hate him—be left behind on the road to the most important event of the entire year.

Luckily, with only the marquee bouts for WrestleMania announced thus far, there are still plenty of options available for Owens to stick it to management by stealing the show right out from underneath its chosen ones.

From former best friends to critically acclaimed newcomers, the best booking options available for Owens would have fans of professional wrestling salivating.

Except for that one with the giant.

Credit: WWE.com

Option 1: Big Show

The idea of Owens being forced into a title defense against Big Show at WrestleMania cannot be that appealing. After all, they do not appear to have much in the way of in-ring chemistry. Nor do they have any reason to be competing outside of the fact they have traded count-out victories on both Raw and SmackDown.

But WWE has a way of doing this. Fans witnessed it back in 2012, when Intercontinental champion Cody Rhodes did not have anything else better to do at the Showcase of the Immortals and the result was a forced feud with The World's Largest Athlete that ended in the dashing Superstar losing his title.

Big Show would be more suited to the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, in which he could defend his title from last year against any number of stars, including the massive Braun Strowman. That way, Owens could be left to defend his title in a much more interesting match.

Still, the foundation has at least been laid by WWE Creative, making Big Show a better option to challenge Owens than plucking some Superstar out of the blue for a title opportunity.

Credit: WWE.com

Option 2: AJ Styles

The Phenomenal One made his WWE debut back at January's Royal Rumble and lasted an impressive 30 minutes before being eliminated by Owens, who not-so-politely welcomed him to WWE. At the time, many assumed, and justifiably so, it was the start of a major WrestleMania program that would result in a series of outstanding wrestling matches.

They assumed wrong.

There has not been a single interaction between the two Superstars since, Styles kept busy with the Y2J storyline while Owens has been wandering aimlessly through the wasteland that is the WWE midcard. What better way to spark interest in the WrestleMania midcard than to bring them together for their first clash on a grand stage.

They have met before, most notably in a 2014 House of Hardcore match for promoter-cum-wrestler Tommy Dreamer, but they have yet to have that one major match that captivates fans and earns the praise of critics.

With the right amount of time, they could immortalize themselves, joining Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat, Bret Hart vs. Roddy Piper and Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon with another epic IC title clash.

Credit: WWE.com

Option 3: Styles and Chris Jericho

AJ has been tied to Chris Jericho from the moment he debuted at the Rumble, either as a rival or a tag team partner, and it does not appear as if they will be left to go their separate ways before WrestleMania. If that is the case, a Triple Threat match pitting them against Owens would allow for an extraordinary wrestling match while keeping them intertwined in a feud.

Of course, as fans witnessed Thursday night on SmackDown, the Divas Championship will already be up for grabs in a three-way bout at WrestleMania. As a result, WWE may not be too excited about booking another for the same show.

Regardless of the opinions of those in power, a Triple Threat match would give all three something significant to do, net a phenomenal wrestling match and instantly elevate the importance of a title that has fallen by the wayside with so much focus placed on the return of Shane McMahon, edgy side of Triple H, the passion of Roman Reigns and the underdog story of Dean Ambrose.

Credit: WWE.com

Option 4: Sami Zayn

The best option for Kevin Owens at WrestleMania is a showdown with former friend turned rival Sami Zayn. Thanks to a recent report out of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t WhatCulture.com), it looks like that may be a very real possibility.

The report suggests Zayn will compete at his first WrestleMania on April 3, though it neglected to reveal his opponent.

It has to be Owens, though. Right?

Not only did the former best friends see their relationship explode as a result of Owens' selfishness and greed, they watched their dislike intensify in January at the Royal Rumble, when Zayn unloaded with a series of rights and lefts to the face of Owens, then dumped him over the top rope for the elimination.

Zayn cost Owens the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in that match, a fact Owens has likely not forgotten. What better way to pay off the year-long rivalry than on the grandest stage imaginable, with an opportunity for Zayn to take the Intercontinental Championship from Owens in the same way his NXT title was taken?

The story has already been laid out for WWE Creative, courtesy of Triple H and NXT. All they would have to do is book the match and the rest would be golden.

And WrestleMania 32 would have a legitimate show-stealer for fans to look forward to.