Kevin Owens, AJ Styles Must Have Momentum Boosts at WWE Survivor Series 2016

Kevin Owens and AJ Styles are the top two titleholders in WWE. But most of the hype surrounding Survivor Series on Nov. 20 is focused on Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar. While that's to be expected, the fact is that fans can't forget about the champs.

KO and Styles need massive momentum boosts, and they need to happen at Survivor Series.

In theory, both Owens and Styles should be over to the moon. They each have a solid background in the industry, with a total of 34 years of experience between them. They've traveled the world and have instant name recognition with fans from every walk of life.

They have great skill in the ring and on the mic. They have it all.

But just how important is each man in the grand scheme of things right now? WWE gives them ample TV time, which is good. One viewing of SmackDown Live, and fans know that Styles is the top guy. However, when fans watch Raw, who fills that spot?

Owens has the top belt, but does he have the booking to go along with it?

Styles is dealing with his own issues on SmackDown. What began as just a bit of fun with James Ellsworth has now become the primary storyline of the blue brand. Every week, Dean Ambrose uses the previously unknown Ellsworth as a pawn in his mind games against Styles.

Ellsworth is indeed getting over, so the angle has been a success to this point.

But the question of when the angle is going to end is being asked. Fans have played along and enjoyed the ride, but many are probably wondering when Styles is no longer going to be played for a fool. 

It's not that the WWE faithful don't understand how the game is played.

Ambrose is the babyface of the storyline, which means he has to look good. Styles is the heel, which means he can be used as the butt of the joke, and it won't necessarily kill his character. Styles can play the part and make it work, which is he's what he's done so far.

The Lunatic Fringe has played this storyline straight in the past, but he lost the WWE World Championship as a result. So why not try to get into The Phenomenal One's head? It's a perfectly logical move and portrays Ambrose as a clever character instead of just mentally unstable.

Fans get it.

But the comedy must end eventually because Styles is not meant to be just the fool. He's come too far and is much too respected to keep getting booked like that. So if the Ellsworth angle is going to continue, then Styles needs to somehow get back on track.

That needs to happen at Survivor Series, as his team is facing off against KO's team. Styles will lead Ambrose, Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt and Shane McMahon. Owens will lead Roman Reigns, Chris Jericho, Seth Rollins and Braun Strowman. There's more top talent in this match than any other on the Survivor Series card.

But it's Styles and KO that must be the last men standing.

The notion that the top two champions carry the most coveted prizes in the company must be reinforced on Nov. 20. The only way to do that is to book Owens and Styles as the final two competitors in their match. The last segment should involve only them.

When it's all over, Owens should be the man with the win.

Styles' place as the Superstar to beat on SmackDown will be evident, as will his ability to deliver in the ring. He should get as many high spots as possible, and it should be apparent that he is the ring general from start to finish.

The storyline with Ambrose and Ellsworth will conclude, and when it does, Styles can get back to more dramatic angles. If not, he will still get over as long as WWE strengthens him as the most important star on SmackDown. But Owens needs this one.

The WWE Universal Championship had no history and no lineage behind it. There was no reason for anyone to take it seriously, as the onus was on the company to book it as an important trophy that guys had to get their hands on. Merely suggesting that the title was important was not enough, and it's still not enough.

Owens' own comedy routine with Jericho is entertaining, and the fans are having fun. But as the laughs happen, the most important title on Raw is becoming less significant. This can be rectified with an Owens win at Survivor Series.

Much like Styles, KO has come too far and is too respected to constantly be overlooked in favor of a few laughs. He's more than capable of making it work, but fans must be reminded of how good he is. They also need to be reminded that his title is supposed to be taken seriously.

All of that can begin on Nov. 20. 

Survivor Series is going to be big because of Goldberg vs. Lesnar. But the importance of the company's top two championships and champions cannot be denied. Styles and Owens deserve the spotlight at Survivor Series and the momentum boosts that come along with it.

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.