Eleven years ago, WWE signed an indie veteran to its NXT roster. While many considered him a strong prospect, few could have predicted that he would eventually become one of the biggest superstars in the company.
Before we begin, we would like to inform you that this is an opinion piece.
Prior to joining NXT, Kevin Owens was known as Kevin Steen, an indie favorite recognized for his impressive skills in the ring. Despite his numerous accomplishments, he often played second fiddle to his frequent partner and rival, El Generico, who is now better known as Sami Zayn. Incidentally, Zayn signed with WWE before Owens did.
During his tryout, Owens delivered a raw and visceral promo referencing his history with Zayn, which ultimately secured him a contract. He went on to become one of the most formidable NXT Champions in history. Although he won the developmental brand’s title just once, his battles were legendary, featuring matches against Finn Balor, Samoa Joe, and his longtime rival Sami Zayn, a rivalry that continues to this day.
While he made a significant impact in NXT, the broader WWE Universe first caught sight of Kevin Owens when he answered John Cena’s open challenge on RAW and went on to defeat him at Elimination Chamber. This was an achievement many thought would be impossible under the Vince McMahon regime.
While his debut was a landmark event in itself, his main roster run was the stuff of legends. Starting with Cena, his short but intense rivalry with the 17-time former World Champion breathed new life into the Cenation leader’s career, and one can argue, with that came some of his best matches in the modern era.
During KO’s heel run in 2017, he was one of the few talents who could boast that they had put their hands on Vince McMahon. For those unaware, McMahon’s dislike for indie guys is pretty well known, and for an indie veteran to not only have a program with McMahon but also attack him is something that was just not heard of. However, the Prizefighter broke through WWE’s proverbial glass ceiling by doing just that.
Let’s not forget his championship victories. In addition to being the NXT Champion, he is a former Universal Champion, a three-time U.S. Champion, a two-time Intercontinental Champion, and he also held the Undisputed Tag Team Championship alongside Sami Zayn once.
He is the 23rd individual to achieve Grand Slam Champion status in WWE. These accomplishments are just some of the reasons why he stands out.
Kevin Owens Is The Rare Talent Who Has Been Succesful Under Triple H And Vince McMahon
While we have mentioned some aspects above, what makes the Prizefighter truly stand out is that he is one of the few talents who have thrived under both Triple H and Vince McMahon, a truly rare feat. Besides his excellent character work, the other ability that made him great was his readiness to play second fiddle.
The former Universal Champion is a complete company man and is ready to take a loss if it puts over a talent or elevates a storyline. One of the best examples of that was him being ready to drop the title to Goldberg, and his numerous vicious battles with Cody Rhodes in the recent past.
Owens is the kind of person that, no matter what the character demands, will adapt himself to the requirement and become a crowd favorite. If he has to be a deadly heel, he will turn into a menace. The recent rivalry with Cody Rhodes is a testament to that.
If we look further back, we can see how Kevin Owens excelled as a comedic heel during his partnership with Chris Jericho, as well as in his midcard feud with Elias.
To truly appreciate his work as a babyface, we can examine his storyline opposite Roman Reigns. So high was Vince McMahon’s trust in KO that he let him have an extended run with a top player during a time when not only WWE but the entire wrestling industry was struggling. Owens effectively carried a significant part of that storyline, bringing new life to the narrative, even though he ultimately ended up on the losing side.
His contributions not only enhanced Roman Reigns’ image as a dominant champion but also played a crucial role in keeping The Bloodline storyline engaging, especially during times when WWE seemed to struggle with fresh ideas. Additionally, Owens was a key figure in both the joining and eventual departure of Sami Zayn from The Bloodline.
Kevin Owens’ Unwavering Loyalty To WWE And The Respect He Has Garnered
During AEW’s rise, he had multiple chances to leave WWE, as several friends like Jericho, Adam Cole, and Daniel Bryan did. Despite being part of a faction with Cole and The Young Bucks, which could have led to a lucrative contract, he chose to remain loyal to World Wrestling Entertainment and its fans.
Owens is highly respected not only by fans but also by his peers in the locker room. His successful independent run, combined with his accomplishments in WWE, earns him great admiration. Many up-and-coming talents share how much they have learned from the Prizefighter.
And lest we forget, Kevin Owens wrestled for months with a brutal injury and only stepped away when it was too dangerous for him to continue. Thankfully, the Prizefighter has undergone surgery successfully and is on the road to recovery.
While these are some of the few highlights we could give about Kevin Owens, an article simply won’t do justice to KO and his body of work.
Which are your favorite Kevin Owens moments? Share them with us on Facebook or Twitter.