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On this week's edition of SmackDown Live, Kevin Owens was fired after refusing to assist Shane McMahon in the King of the Ring semi-finals. This isn't the first time Owens has been sent packing from WWE, and though he may not be with the company at the moment, there are plenty of fans who are anticipating his return.
Here are five things the Prizefighter should do after being given the Pink slip on the latest edition of SmackDown Live.
Disclaimer: The views of the author do not necessarily reflect those of Sportskeeda.
#5 Return to win the 2020 Men's Royal Rumble
Kevin Owens was only fired two days ago on SmackDown Live, and already, fans are speculating about when he will return. If history is anything to go by, it won't be long until the WWE Universe see the former Universal Champion in action once again, though that might not be the best course of action.
Instead, keeping Owens off of TV and away from Live events may be the best idea yet, as it'd certainly make his firing by Shane McMahon on this week's SmackDown Live seem legit. Not only that, but months without the Prizefighter would only make the Best in the World seem like an even bigger heel.
As arguably WWE's most popular star, an Owens return at the Rumble would be a thunderous ovation. nIn fact, having Shane insert himself in the match at a late number could make things even better, as the Best in the World's smugness would evaporate at the sight of Owens, who would throw Shane out en route to winning the 2020 Men's Royal Rumble match.
#4 Tease joining AEW
Social media is an interesting tool in the world of professional wrestling. If used correctly, using Twitter, Instagram and other platforms can help keep a feud going, adding new layers on top of what fans see on RAW and SmackDown Live. If done poorly, social media can quickly ruin a character, as the lines between fiction and reality continue to be blurred.
Over the years, Owens has shown himself to be a master of the web, and teasing joining the competition All Elite Wrestling could help add some oomph to the story. Though very few fans believe Owens has actually been fired, the company could make it seem so if he teased joining AEW.
With reports that Vince McMahon has been furious with Superstars for mentioning the competition, Owens could definitely make his firing seem real if he went against the wishes of the Chairman of the Board. Of course, this would mean getting McMahon on board with the idea of referencing the company which will launch it's own TV show on TNT next month, a feat easier said than done for the Prizefighter.
#3 Run the gauntlet to get his job back
Kevin Owens may have been fired by Shane McMahon on this week's SmackDown Live, but fans shouldn't expect the Prizefighter to be gone for long. Though he has had more than his fair share of issues with Shane McMahon, there are plenty of reasons why the company would want to rehire him.
Owens is a former Universal and NXT Champion and has also had stints with the Intercontinental and United States championships. A proven star over the past five years, it isn't unreasonable for Owens to plead his case to Shane's father Mr. McMahon, though we doubt the chairman would make things easy. Whilst the boss could offer Owens his job back, perhaps a gauntlet match stipulation, culminating with Shane himself could be the right call.
Pitting Owens against multiple opponents just to get his job back could echo Kofi Kingston's rise to the top of SmackDown Live earlier this year, and could even allow the McMahons to be surrounded by a flock of heel henchmen. If Owens wanted a fight against Shane, then he may need to recruit an army of his own.
#2 Return at Clash of Champions
Kevin Owens may have been fired on this week's edition of WWE SmackDown Live, but this isn't the first time the Prizefighter has 'left' the company. On the August 27, 2018, edition of Monday Night RAW, Owens quit the company after a loss to then-Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins when the gold was on the line. Instead of leaving for good as promised though, Owens would return the next week on RAW, leading many to question why he bothered quitting in the first place.
If Owens wants to make an impact on his inevitable return, then appearing at this Sunday's Clash of Champions event could be the way to go. Though Shane isn't scheduled to compete in any matches, Owens could jump the barricade to the ring, and hold the show hostage until the Best in the World appears.
Though it's unlikely that Shane would just walk into the ring and receive a beating by the former Universal Champion, a confrontation between the two could help continue the story between the two until Crown Jewel, or even Hell in a Cell.
#1 Go to NXT and lead a revolution
Kevin Owens is one of NXT's most successful alumnus. Joining the developmental brand in late 2014, Owens would capture the NXT title mere months later, and though he spent less than a year in the brand, the impact he had has been felt for years. Arguably one of the yellow brand's top stars ever, Owens returning to NXT could be the best option for him now that he has been fired from Team Blue.
Though NXT (in theory) is about creating the next generation of stars, many of the WWE's top performers are currently a part of the brand. With the show moving to two hours next week and going to the USA Network, NXT could do with a recognizable face to get in casual fans, something that Owens clearly is.
With NXT being its own third brand and Survivor Series around the corner, it wouldn't be a bad idea for Owens to lead an attack on SmackDown Live and Shane McMahon, giving some great entertaining matches, as well as showcasing some of the new faces of NXT.
