5 reasons why WWE had Shane McMahon destroy Kevin Owens on this week's SmackDown Live

If you haven't had the chance to catch SmackDown Live over the past few months, you've been missing one of WWE's most entertaining stories. Over this period, Kevin Owens has reinvented himself as the voice of the WWE Universe and has made it clear that he has one target in mind: the Best in the World, Shane McMahon.

Since turning heel earlier this year, McMahon has been everywhere - on SmackDown Live, Monday Night RAW, and pay-per-views - and fans have gotten sick of the over-exposure of the former Tag Team Champion.

Ready for a match against Kevin Owens this Sunday, Shane was able to turn the tides on the Prizefighter after weeks of being assaulted by KO, demolishing the former Universal Champion in an act that shocked many members of the WWE Universe.

Here are five reasons why WWE had Shane McMahon destroy Kevin Owens on this week's edition of SmackDown Live.

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#5 Because Owens is going to squash him

Owens could crush the Best in the World at SummerSlam.

This seems to be the most likely outcome at SummerSlam, as though Shane was able to get the advantage on this week's edition of the blue brand, it is seemingly too little, too late.

Instead, most fans are expecting Owens to completely squash the Best in the World and retain his job in the process, but still, want to be careful with how they treat Shane O'Mac.

If a squash match is the plan for this Sunday, then having Shane get the advantage last night at least allows the former SmackDown Live Tag Team Champion a bit of his heat back, and though he will come up short at the PPV, at least the Best in the World was able to get some shots in along the way to his destruction.

#4 To anger the WWE Universe

The fans are angry but angry enough that they'll tune in to SummerSlam.

Part of what has made the feud between Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens so great is how it has played on very real ideas from the WWE Universe.

Though McMahon the character may relish in all his screen time, Shane the person, as well as everyone involved knows that there are some genuine complaints by the fans about how much screentime the Boss' son has received.

As backward as it may seem, giving McMahon more time this week and making him look like a killer in the process is exactly the right idea by WWE to hook fans who are sick of Shane O'Mac.

Now, fans are in a frenzy and ready to see Owens destroy the so-called Best in the World, and if they're ready to see it, they'll almost certainly be tuning in this Sunday.

#3 Because it's going to be a draw this Sunday

An injured Owens could lead to a tie between himself and the part-time wrestler.

Though Shane has proven himself to be an okay hand in the ring, it's clear from a wrestling standpoint, he is no Kevin Owens. Whilst McMahon is a part-time star, Owens competes every week and based on this alone, the match should be an easy win for the Prizefighter.

Having Owens go into the match injured though, does mean that Shane's chances increase significantly, and though he may not be able to get a win at the pay-per-view, the Best in the World could hope for a draw.

Though a draw may not be the most popular idea of a finish for the match, it would allow this story to continue for at least another month, something WWE could be considering after this has been one of their most popular feuds this year.

#2 Back and forth booking

Owens got the advantage last week, so this time it was Shane's turn.

One gripe that the WWE Universe has had with the company in recent years, is the idea of back and forth booking. Simply put, the idea is one person gets the advantage in a feud one week, only to have their opponent win the next week and so on.

Though it is a sensible method to extend feuds and has been used by WWE for years in countless feuds, this booking has been criticized for being too simplistic and failing to push one star over the other.

Last week, Owens got the advantage on SmackDown Live by defeating McMahon's pal Drew McIntyre. It seemed this week was Shane's turn to get the momentum.

It's clear that this feud has been one of the most popular aspects of WWE TV in 2019, so hopefully, the company won't continue to use the same old formula for these two Superstars.

#1 Because Shane is winning on Sunday

Shane is no stranger to winning huge matches, including the World Cup tournament last year.

This is by far the most controversial view, but there is always a chance that the Best in the World will emerge victorious on Sunday at SummerSlam. If he does, this will mean that Owens will be forced to leave the WWE forever, though as we all know in the world of professional wrestling, forever isn't actually that long.

For months, rumors of Shane entering the WWE Championship picture have circulated, and though fans may not agree with the idea, Shane is a rare commodity in WWE in 2019: a heel who actually gets booed.

What better way is there for the so-called Best in the World to be even more hated, than by forcing Owens from the company this Sunday, and this week's attack to soften up the former Universal Champion?