Kevin Owens Will Be WWE U.S. Champion After SummerSlam

Despite SummerSlam’s “Ultimate Challenge” between Seth Rollins and John Cena, Kevin Owens will be United States Champion by the end of the following RAW…

SummerSlam 2015 is living up to its billing as the second-biggest event in WWE, with a card that is a mouth-watering prospect for fans. The now four-hour long spectacular in Brooklyn could challenge the critical success of WrestleMania 31 should the projected matches live up to expectations. It will feature in the main event the titanic struggle between The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar, where the Phenom looks to take revenge for the breaking of the Streak back at WrestleMania 30.

However, it is what will undoubtedly prove to be the co-main event of the night that is the subject of this foreseeing. In that clash, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins will battle United States Champion John Cena with both titles on the line, a battle reminiscent of the “Ultimate Challenge” between Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania VI.

Following their excellent encounter on a recent episode of RAW, which left John Cena’s nose resting on the other side of his face after it was broken by a knee strike by Rollins, this will undoubtedly build upon that story with the added incentive of both of their coveted belts being up for grabs.

Yet, by the end of RAW the following night, neither man will lay claim to the United States Championship, as it will instead adorn the waist of a man separate from this bout, but linked to both combatants. A man who has been making enemies of everybody he shares a ring with in his relentless pursuit of glory and the best living for his family. That man is of course Kevin Owens.

Many already feel that Owens should already be in possession of the US title, after he challenged Cena for the belt at Battleground. Whilst he produced another outstanding performance against the best the company has to offer, Owens ended up tapping out to the champ. Since then, his form has been abysmal, with losses to the likes of Cesaro and Randy Orton, and walking out on numerous matches rather than complete them when things turn against him. Not exactly momentum that is becoming of a champion.

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Furthermore, the former NXT Champion has become embroiled in another rivalry in the past month with Cesaro, who has called out Owens for his tendency to walk away from competition. Both have traded blows and verbal spars over the course of this feud, which will very lead to an epic contest at SummerSlam. And, Owens will also be competing the night before when he challenges Finn Balor for the NXT Championship at Takeover: Brooklyn. So, how in the course of this hectic weekend will Owens somehow manage to become US Champion?

The process is actually remarkably simple: Kevin Owens, after failing to regain the NXT title at Takeover, heads into his SummerSlam encounter with Cesaro. His brawl with the Swiss Superman stretches out of twenty minutes, potentially stealing the show from the headline contests. Owens picks up the win following a Pop-Up Powerbomb, and then does his usual statement by dropping Cesaro across the ring apron, putting him out of action for a month or two. But his night isn’t over there.

Seth Rollins and John Cena conduct an equally heated confrontation over their respective championships, with Cena gaining the upper-hand against his brash rival. At some point a referee bump takes place, Cena locks in an STF and Rollins is tapping in the center of the ring.

Enter Kevin Owens, charging in over the barricade with a steel chair off the back of the US Champion, followed by a Powerbomb onto the weapon. Rollins seems bemused, follows up on this opportunity with the Pedigree to retain his WWE Championship and capture his first US title.

The next night on RAW, Rollins celebrates with his two belts, talking up how he decimated Cena on his own, until he is interrupted by Owens on the stage. He confronts the double champion, stating outright that it is because of Owens that he has both titles. He believes that he is entitled a match for the US title, and whilst Rollins initially refuses, the Authority for once listens to the excitement of the WWE Universe and schedules Rollins vs. Owens for the main event. The pair staredown, lock-up, and Rollins crashes to the mat. Owens puts on a cocky smile, and drops down on top of the fallen Rollins, the bemused referee counts the three, and a brand new United States Champion is crowned.

It might seem a cliched concept, but it is an effective way to make a number of great things happen. Kevin Owens earns his first main roster title in an incredibly heelish manner, whilst establishing an alliance between the Canadian and WWE Champion Seth Rollins and the Authority. Some people may think that makes him look weak, but heels are supposed to be conniving and looking to get ahead the easiest way possible. Owens can then win a rematch against John Cena for the belt before returning to a feud with Cesaro, and Rollins and Cena continue with solely the WWE Championship up for grabs.

That is what I firmly believe what will happen at SummerSlam and beyond, which could lead in so many fascinating scenarios and circumstances further along the line:

Would Rollins turn face after losing the WWE title whilst Owens becomes the new golden boy of the Authority? How about they both break away as either heels or babyfaces, leading to an anticipated match between Rollins and Triple H at WrestleMania 32? Could Owens ride the momentum from this to become WWE Champion himself in 2016?

These are all compelling concepts that can be explored at a later date. But for now, bank on Owens taking home some gold over the week of SummerSlam.

Next: Power Ranking Every SummerSlam

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