WWE Backlash 2017: 5 Reasons Kevin Owens will retain the US championship against AJ Styles
With the ‘Superstar Shakeup,' WWE flipped its rosters in hopes of creating new possibilities and new rivalries. These possibilities and rivalries are immediately taking shape, as everyone is considered a threat to a championship.
Whether its Jinder Mahal having a WWE title match against Randy Orton or Breezango challenging the Usos for the Smackdown Live tag team championships, opportunities are everywhere on the brand.
After recapturing the US championship, Kevin Owens has to prepare for another challenge for the title now, in the form of former WWE champion AJ Styles. For all that Styles can do in the ring and on the mic, there is just something about the build to this match that leads us to believe that he will not walk away with the title at Backlash, on Sunday, May 21st.
Is it because we don't have faith in him to defeat ‘The Face of America? Of course not. On the contrary, Styles is very capable of winning the title, but other reasons may materialise that may prevent him from walking away with the championship. Here are five reasons why Kevin Owens will retain the United States championship against AJ Styles.
#5 The prestige of the US title
An important thing to remember about the US title is that at one point it was considered a throwaway championship, one that a wrestler held, but really didn't defend. However, when John Cena had it, he gave importance by defending it weekly in open challenges. This gave value to the championship.
However, once he lost the belt to Alberto Del Rio, which led to quick changes to Kalisto, then Rusev, and then Roman Reigns, it felt as though the championship lost its significance.
Although Owens only held the title for a short time after he defeated Chris Jericho for it the first time, the belief is, now that he has regained the championship, having him lose it right away would only tarnish the title's value (much like what has happened recently with the WWE Raw women's title.)
In order to establish prestige for the championship, Owens retaining the title appears to make the most sense.