Why a Kevin Owens Win at WWE Clash of Champions 2016 Is Best for Business
Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins wasn't even on WWE fans' radars one month ago, but now it's becoming a reality.
The universal champion will be going to war with the former Shield architect at WWE Clash of Champions 2016 in a match that will probably steal the show. The fact that Rollins hasn't exactly had a legitimate babyface turn is irrelevant; he has arguably become the most popular Superstar on Raw.
But KO should retain his newly won championship on Sept. 25.
Many are likely still in shock over Owens' title win. The man who is so good at being so bad is one of the best all-around talents the company has, but he seemed to be falling behind. The Miz took the Intercontinental Championship with him to SmackDown Live, and Rusev has had a stranglehold on the United States title.
Considering Owens' ability make an impact anywhere on the card, where exactly did he fit in if he had no trophy to compete for?
However, his most recent partnership with Chris Jericho put him back on the map in a big way. The two have a natural chemistry and are perhaps the most entertaining act on Monday nights. They share a deadpan sense of humor and a level of ridiculousness that fans just cannot get enough of.
They're comedy gold together, but they're no joke. They could've become dominant tag team champions.
But WWE pulled the surprise win with Owens, and now he's the top guy on Raw. His upcoming match with Rollins is a big deal because it's one of the rare times that Rollins has been on the outside looking in. Now The Architect wants his belt and his spot back.
It would be easy for WWE to make the move. Rollins is a proven commodity; he's an elite performer, and he consistently has the best match of the night. Despite any criticisms leveled at him for his work in the ring, the fact is that he's a true technician. He's committed to his craft, and he's in it for the long haul.
The company can depend on him, and he always delivers.
But putting the Universal Championship on Rollins at Clash of Champions is not the right move. He may have more time in the top-guy role, but Owens has more to prove. KO will step up his game and bring everything he has to this match.
He will also bring more to his title reign.
He's barely into this run, and he needs the opportunity to fully explore what he can do as a marquee draw. He's a heel, but fans have great respect for him, and that will be put to the test now. Can he maintain his momentum and continue to get over as champ? Once the novelty of his Triple H-assisted win fades, will the crowd still be in Owens' corner?
There's no way to know if he loses at Clash of Champions.
KO has 16 years in the business, and he's worked hard to make it in WWE. While many fans likely thought John Cena's chokehold on the company would last forever, the truth is that evolution is happening in WWE.
Guys like Owens and Rollins are finally getting a chance to shine, and they're making the most of it.
They've not yet scratched the surface of what they can do in a rivalry, and that rivalry could become an important one for the New Era. This is about the next generation of WWE taking over and showing the world that the company is ready to move forward.
Owens' continued run at the top will only add value to the title, and that benefits everyone involved. Rollins can win it at some point, but Clash of Champions is not where it should happen.
But aside from the fact that KO has put the work in to attain his position in WWE, there's also another issue to consider. If he does retain the title against Rollins, a match with Y2J may not be that far off. Though the two are thick as thieves right now, that does not mean Jericho will not eventually get a title shot.
They're good together, but they would make history against each other, especially with the Universal Championship at stake.
WWE needs a strong heel on Raw, and KO is it. Rollins' popularity is bringing about his subtle face turn, which means someone has to fill the role he's played to perfection. Owens may have respect, but fans love to hate him, and he can easily be the villain next to Rollins.
KO is in a good situation on the flagship program, and there's just no reason to change that now. He should continue on his current path and be able to do business as the universal champion.
Tom Clark can regularly be seen on Bleacher Report. His podcast, Tom Clark's Main Event, is available on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Android, Windows Phone and online here
