Years of service or a dastardly betrayal? 4 reasons why Kevin Owens is facing Cody Rhodes’ at WWE Bash in Berlin
Before SmackDown was half over, Kevin Owens emerged as Cody Rhodes' challenger at the Bash in Berlin Premium Live Event. Rhodes wanted to give Owens a shot but The Prizefighter was initially reluctant to accept the offer.
He felt that he hadn't done anything to deserve a title shot, but Randy Orton did due to the awkward King of the Ring finish against Gunther.
Once Nick Aldis mentioned that Roman Reigns could be owed a rematch, Kevin Owens switched tunes and accepted the match in Berlin. The big showdown between friends is happening for the next four reasons.
#4. Kevin Owens can match Cody on the mic and in the ring
A good feud needs to be sold in promos before the actual match. If one star cannot hold up their end of the bargain, then it may cause the contest to fall flat.
Kevin Owens is one of the best mic workers in the game and cuts believable promos as both a heel and a face. He's quick with an insult and often says what some fans are thinking.
Rhodes is also used to giving emotional sermons regardless of opponent. He can connect with anyone, including a close friend like Kevin Owens. The two could even question each other's motivations with civility.
#3. He's backed Cody up and was cheated out of many title chances
After Roman Reigns won the Universal Championship, Owens challenged The Head of the Table a few times. Each challenge, however, was thwarted after constant interference by The Usos and Paul Heyman.
Kevin Owens has been the biggest thorn in The Bloodline's side since then. He's refused to go away and has continued the fight some four years later. That fight engulfed Rhodes last year and again this year.
The two were staunch allies against The Bloodline after Reigns lost the title at WrestleMania 40. They've teamed against the new-look faction at a few other PLEs. With some time to breathe, The American Nightmare felt that his ally deserved a reward at Bash in Berlin.
#2. It's been seven years since he's held a major WWE title
Once SmackDown GM Nick Aldis mentioned that Roman Reigns was deserving of a rematch, the fire was lit under Owens. While he's held tag team gold and both the US and Intercontinental Titles, he hasn't held a major title in WWE in over seven years.
The Prizefighter lost the Universal Title to Goldberg in an unfortunate squash match on The Road to WrestleMania 33. Before accepting the title opportunity, Kevin Owens mentioned that he never got an official rematch after losing the title, so why should Roman?
Owens has put over many stars in that time and deserves another shot to be the top champion in WWE potentially.
#1. A possible heel turn and a prolonged feud in 2024
Both Owens and Randy Orton have regularly switched between face and heel personas throughout their careers. Over the last three years, however, both former champions have battled the villains in WWE.
Since Roman Reigns returned to WWE as a hero, someone will have to turn to the dark side to offset the numbers atop SmackDown. Orton would make sense due to his history and influence in Cody's early career.
Owens seems like he could snap at any time, and the prospect of winning a major title once again might tempt him to turn on his ally. That also could have been some reasoning for declining a title shot - the lure of a shiny title.
If Owens does indeed turn on The American Nightmare, it could keep Rhodes busy for the next few months, including at Bad Blood.