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The Royal Rumble 2021 pay-per-view didn't exactly turn out the way Kevin Owens was hoping for. The Prizefighter once again came agonizingly close to winning the WWE Universal Championship and almost pulled off the unthinkable by defeating Roman Reigns.
In a brutal Last Man Standing Match, Kevin Owens gave his all, as he was run over by a golf cart, went through a table, and also handcuffed Roman Reigns to almost keep him down for a 10-count. Eventually, the former Universal Champion fell victim to Reigns' guillotine choke and failed to win the title which he once held for 188 days.
With the Road To WrestleMania 37 officially kicking-off with Edge and Bianca Belair's respective Royal Rumble wins, there are a few Superstars who are now in danger of missing out on the biggest annual WWE event of the year. Unfortunately, one of those Superstars could be Kevin Owens, if WWE decides to overlook him on the Road to WrestleMania.
However, there are a few potential options for the former WWE Universal Champion. This article takes an in-depth look at the directions in which Kevin Owens could be headed towards, following his loss to Roman Reigns at Royal Rumble 2021 and moving forward towards WrestleMania 37.
#5. Kevin Owens enters the Elimination Chamber for another stellar performance
Kevin Owens has been constantly putting on classics in WWE. His matches against Roman Reigns have been absolutely top-notch and the Royal Rumble 2021 pay-per-view was no different.
Similarly, Roman Reigns has also been at the top of his game and has been at his absolute best since returning to WWE last Summer. The Tribal Chief has adapted quite well to his new gimmick and could be put through his toughest test as Universal Champion so far, by having to defend his title at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view.
Kevin Owens could end up being one of the five challengers inside the chamber, as it is almost guaranteed that the former Universal Champion is bound to put on another classic performance in the grueling structure.
#4. Kevin Owens once again turns heel
Kevin Owens is excellent as a babyface, however, his initial heel run on the main roster is something that is yet to be surpassed by any Superstar who makes the jump from NXT. In his first feud on the main roster, KO engaged with John Cena and would also go on to beat the United States Champion at that time.
It was during his heel run when Kevin Owens won the WWE Universal Title, powerbombed Machine Gun Kelly on RAW, and the WWE Universe was so impressed that they pushed for a match between KO and Brock Lesnar. However, that match never happened and instead, Owens went on to lose his Universal Title to Goldberg.
Having failed to win the Universal Championship from Roman Reigns after a few attempts, this could be the perfect opportunity for WWE to turn Kevin Owens heel once again. This will not only benefit KO but will also provide SmackDown with another top heel on the Road To WrestleMania 37.
#3. Kevin Owens' heel turn could lead to Adam Pearce's official in-ring return
At Royal Rumble, Roman Reigns made a dominant statement with his win over Kevin Owens. But, the reigning Universal Champion was initially set to welcome back Adam Pearce to in-ring competition for the first time in years. While the WWE Universe seemed quite confused with the decision to have Pearce challenge for the Universal Title, the fans who were familiar with his work were all in for another run for Scrap Daddy.
Instead, Pearce would go on to use his authority powers and made sure Kevin Owens received another shot at the Universal Title. And, with Owens now failing to win the world title off The Tribal Chief, this sets up the perfect scenario for him to turn heel, and he could do so by attacking Adam Pearce.
Kevin Owens' actions could lead to WWE finally letting Adam Pearce return to the ring and that would also give KO quite a meaningful feud on the Road To WrestleMania 37. The two men could face off at the Fastlane pay-per-view but obviously, a good choice would be to have KO face Pearce at The Grandest Stage of Them All.
#2. Kevin Owens remains babyface, finds a tag team partner, and challenges for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships
Kevin Owens' babyface run could still be extended up to and even after WrestleMania 37. But, to do so, WWE might have to put him in a tag team and have the former Universal Champion aim for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.
The logical choice for a tag team partner for Kevin Owens would be to form a team between him and Sami Zayn. The two men are best friends and have previously worked together as a tag team, and against each other for years. However, with Zayn currently at the top of his game as a heel Superstar, it is unlikely for WWE to turn the former Intercontinental Champion babyface at this stage.
WWE could create a tag team between the two former arch-rivals by having Kevin Owens work as a babyface, whereas, Zayn continues with his heelwork, all while being part of a tag team. This could initiate a very creative and unique tag team, and the two men could end up challenging Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles.
#1. A heel Kevin Owens feuds a babyface Big E for the Intercontinental Championship
Kevin Owens' first championship on the main roster was the Intercontinental Title. At Night of Champions, 2015, KO won the prestigious IC Title and went on to hold the belt for a total of 84 days. With Big E currently in possession of the Intercontinental Championship, WWE will be looking into potential title contenders for the reigning champion, heading into 'Mania 37.
Big E himself has been teasing a match against Christian after the latter's return at the 2021 Royal Rumble. That match in itself has a lot of potential to be a classic and is definitely WrestleMania worthy but, as of now, Captain Charisma's status with the company is still not known.
That leaves WWE with the option of booking a perfect feud between a babyface Big E and a heel Kevin Owens. The two men also have a little history with each other when KO replaced Big E in the New Day for a while, only to turn heel on the group. An IC Title match at The Grandest Stage of Them All is something fans will definitely be invested in.
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