Kevin Owens, the SmackDown Championship and More from the Social Justice Mailbag

WWE is closing in on the big draft, and if ratings are any indication, people couldn't care less. Still, with Brock Lesnar on his way back and an era-defining show on the horizon, WWE's viewership woes should quickly turn around.

SmackDown Your Title?

A potential new world champion on SmackDown should be crowned through some type of meritocracy to add value right off the bat. A one-night tournament on the first live SmackDown after the draft, or even a multiweek tournament that culminates in one of the 350 upcoming pay-per-views, would be a great start for a second world title.

WWE could also go with a Battle Royal or a Beat the Clock Challenge, but these ideas seem too rushed for a world championship.

Meritocracy aside, I wouldn't put it past WWE to simply announce a new world champion on the first live SmackDown broadcast July 19.

Many fans complain about Triple H being gifted a second world title years ago. But this was a world title that went on to headline three WrestleManias in the previous brand extension era, and two of them featured Triple H as world champion. Handing an all-time great a world title—especially if he's a heel—really isn't all that far-fetched.

Wait Owens Wait?

I think WWE is going with a slow burn for Owens. Owens is one of a small handful of talents who really hasn't been damaged. Even a year into his WWE run, it's still quite rare to see him pinned, and he is showcased through commentary, promos, backstage segments and strong wrestling.

Unfortunately, Owens is not a "stoke the flames" type of talent. He's 32. An old 32. A Kobe Bryant 32. Owens is a 15-year veteran who needed knee surgery shortly after his NXT debut. If WWE waits too long, it'll have another Daniel Bryan situation on its hands if it doesn't already.

In an era where all three former members of The Shield have been associated with historically low ratings while world champion, maybe it's time for WWE to take a break from its Shield addiction and head in another direction.

An Owens world championship win wouldn't seem forced, especially coming off a cut-and-paste feud against Sami Zayn that has a built-in storyline. Owens would look quite strong with back-to-back singles victories over Zayn, and at the very least, he should be considered as the first world champion on SmackDown.

Social Justice Superstars?

WWE is a publicly traded company and tends to shy away from controversial social issues, especially when it comes to race.

WWE seems to try its best to tread lightly around current events that incite rage. Even despite the McMahons' relationship with Donald Trump—which includes generous donations to the Trump Foundation, per David A. Fahrenthold and Rosalind S. Helderman of the Washington Post (h/t Rich Scinto of Patch.com)—WWE has been very coy about directly mentioning Trump's polarizing run for president.

If a black WWE Superstar—or any WWE Superstar for that matter—spoke out about police brutality or the recent Alton Sterling incident, it would be their way of saying they need a vacation.

WWE is all about hierarchy and falling in line. It's why WWE Superstars are still able to be (mis)classified as independent contractors without putting up a fight.

Speaking out of turn is something that often results in consequences. Ryback and Cameron were vocal about wrestler pay in recent blog posts, and neither has been seen on WWE television since. Adam Rose spoke out against a recent suspension by posting a doctor's note on Twitter.

He was released shortly after.

Only in matters of grave tragedies, like the recent mass shooting in Orlando, does WWE directly address these serious matters.