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What's the story?
Remember how Kevin Owens used to refer to himself as 'The New Face of America' not very long ago? He was asked during an interview with Argus Leader why he did not use the gimmick any longer. Owens replied saying that he dropped the 'Face of America' shtick because there were others on SmackDown Live, playing very similar roles to him. Now he's back to being just plain old' Owens.
In case you didn't know...
Wrestlemania 33 saw the titanic clash between Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho for the US Championship. Owens won the championship and was soon traded to SmackDown Live, where he sported a new look as the US Champion. Referring to himself as the new face of America, his entrance would show his likeness across the ramp as he made his way down to the ring. A gimmick that never really took off, Owens told Argus Leader why he dropped it for good.
The heart of the matter
Owens felt that far too many people were playing roles that pertained to the US:
I'm moving away from that now by choice because there's so many people on SmackDown right now talking about America. Whether it's Jinder Mahal or Rusev, I don't like being like other people. When I started the Face of America, there was nobody on SmackDown doing that kind of stuff, and now there's too many of us.
Owens added that for the time being, he was going to be plain old' Kevin Owens once again. The New Face of America is done and dusted.
What's next?
Shane McMahon did not seem too pleased with Kevin Owens' interference in the match between Sami Zayn and Aiden English. We have a feeling that it's leading to a showdown between Owens and McMahon, presumably at a pay-per-view such as Hell in a Cell.
Author's take
Kevin Owens is right, of course. There is far too much anti-America sentiment on SmackDown Live right now, and the storylines sound extremely dated indeed. We're glad that we get Kevin Owens again in the avatar we fell in love with when we first met him.
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