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Tonight's edition of SmackDown Live came in the wake up the recent Superstar Shake-Up. The biggest acquisition for the blue brand being The Big Dog, the episode started with Shane McMahon and Elias punishing Reigns for attacking Vince McMahon.
Although SmackDown Live has lost one of its most promising superstars in the form of AJ Styles to the red brand, it still looks great with a bunch of other talented and already established WWE wrestlers.
In an episode which was filled with great performances and some thrilling encounters, Kofi Kingston vs Shinsuke Nakamura with Kevin Owens and Xavier Woods on the ringside, stole the show. Both Superstars gave a great match only to be interrupted first by Rusev and then later by Kevin Owens, who turned heel after a short-lived face run.
The New Day has found great success as a stable and Kevin Owens joining the group only made it more prominent than it already is for the WWE Universe. On last week's edition of SmackDown Live, Kevin Owens became the newest member of The New Day and helped the WWE Champion Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods, overcome Rusev, Cesaro, and Shinsuke Nakamura in a 6 Man Tag-Team match.
On tonight's episode, Kofi Kingston cut a promo discussing Big E's injury and his unavailability, all the while welcoming Kevin Owens into the group by referring him as Big O. Kevin Owens made his return as a replacement for Kofi Kingston on the road to WrestleMania, but lost the momentum amidst the huge uproar of KofiMania.
WWE Creative has done something similar again where they have rushed with Kevin Owens' character development. Let's look into 3 reasons why Kevin Owens should have remained Big O for The New Day.
#3 Big O is fun
Kevin Owens was amazing on last week's edition of SmackDown Live. There is a common opinion that Kevin Owens is a natural heel, but the way Owens carried the Big O gimmick was outrageously hilarious.
This also involves trying to pull a Big E impression and then the pancake party. Big O was fun and seemed to have adopted his new gimmick really well. Kevin Owens is impeccable on the microphone and just like The New Day, he can certainly entertain the audience with his new gimmicks and the usual New Day antics with food and extravaganza.
But alas, we were treated to a more common Kevin Owens, who returned after a long hiatus doing something just the same.
#2 Kevin Owens has lost so much heat
Kevin Owens lost so much heat after his feud with Braun Strowman, and a dull return to WWE only made matters worse for the talented superstar. Kevin Owens lost his WrestleMania chance against Kofi Kingston after being defeated by Daniel Bryan at Fastlane 2019.
Owens turning heel isn't the most logical step here, courtesy of Kofi Kingston's ongoing hype. WWE certainly can't have Kevin Owens take one over Kofi Kingston after fulfilling Kofi's 11-year old dream, and another failed attempt at the WWE Championship is certainly not going to benefit Kevin Owens in any manner.
It looks definitely certain that Kingston isn't losing the Championship belt at his first defence for the belt at the Money in the Bank Pay-Per-View. Kevin Owens had found a great amount of support as a face and as a member of The New Day. WWE should have continued with Kevin Owens as Kofi's stablemate for a little longer.
#1 Kevin Owens needs an ally
Kevin Owens is a wrestler who is both great inside the ring, and on the microphone, but something just doesn't work out for the Canadian superstar. Kevin Owens has never been able to shine as the truly talented superstar that he is. After being very poorly booked in his feud with Braun Strowman prior to his small hiatus, Owens made a surprising return on the road to WrestleMania. The return, however, was overshadowed.
After Kevin Owens lost the Intercontinental belt to Zack Ryder at WrestleMania 32, KO hasn't been the same dominant solo wrestler that he once was. Owens had a successful stint at the Intercontinental Title and an amazing feud with Dean Ambrose, but during 2016, Owens became a wrestler who was always aided by his partners. Owens has been best whenever he has had somebody by his side. KO was at the top when he had Chris Jericho by his side during 2016-17, and even alongside Sami Zayn during 2017-18.
Owens was also helped by interference from Triple H to win the Universal Title, which was later just taken away in the heat of the Goldberg and Lesner feud. The last couple of years have seen Owens become friends with Jericho and Zayn only to feud with both of them, by turning heel.
Even during Owens' United States Championship run, Jericho was put into the picture even before Styles and Owens' feud had come to an end. When the feud was settled, Owens joined Sami Zayn a month later to become the notorious duo. Owens without any ally isn't as dominating as KO with someone by his side. The New Day provided a great opportunity for Owens to rise through the ranks and establish and reinvent himself again, but WWE might have missed a very big opportunity.
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