WWE: Why Kevin Owens Vs. Shane McMahon Needs Blood

Over the past few weeks the hatred between Kevin Owens and Shane McMahon has boiled over into vicious assaults and threats.  Considering how personal this feud has gotten, the match at WWE Hell in a Cell 2017 needs to deliver the same level of aggression as the story that led up to it.

A little over two weeks ago the feud between Kevin Owens and Shane McMahon became personal when Owens referenced Shane’s wife, his kids, and his real life helicopter crash.  This led to Shane snapping and assaulting the former United States Champion.  By the end of this attack, Shane knew that there would be repercussions for his actions.  This would lead to Shane being suspended indefinitely.

Following Shane’s suspension, the next week on SmackDown Live we would see the return of the Chairman of the Board, Vince McMahon.  Vince would confront Owens, and make the match official between Shane and Owens inside Hell in a Cell.  Owens would counter by getting Vince to agree that he may attack any McMahon if provoked.

Following Vince’s handshake agreement with Owens, it would be Owens that would assault Vince.  A headbutt splitting Vince’s forehead wide open, then followed by a Superkick to the side of the Chairman’s head, and finally capping the assault off with a Frog Splash from the top rope.

This assault by Owens brought on a rare appearance by Stephanie McMahon on SmackDown Live.  Since we now have recapped why this feud is so personal, why does this match need blood?

Well let’s first take a look at what WWE is attempting to accomplish with this feud.  Is Shane being built as a top contender for the title at WrestleMania?  No.  Is Shane being built as an indestructible force that will headline future pay-per-views throughout the next year?  No.

This feud is clearly designed to elevate Owens level of relevance, whether that may be on Monday or Tuesday nights.  The involvement of Stephanie, even if for a brief moment could hint at a potential feud down the road with her husband, Triple H.

Before I get too far ahead of myself, Owens needs more of a reason to land on Triple H’s radar.  This can be accomplished with a ruthless match on October 8th, inside Hell in a Cell.  Yes, we will see a failed “crash and burn” moment by Shane, but it is unlikely that he will leap off the cell again.

Credit: WWE.com

At this point in the PG Era, we have seen many more death defying stunts than blood.  This makes blood more of a premium that should only be used in the right spots.  Shane vs. Owens is that right spot, and I’m looking forward to what would be a good Attitude Era blood bath.

When you think about it, it doesn’t even matter who is the one to bleed.  If Shane bleeds, then Owens looks like a monster who cannot be stopped.  If Owens bleeds, then he shows the resilience that fans have not seen since his independent days.  If both bleed, then Owens can put a check in both previously mentioned boxes.

Either way, Kevin Owens needs to win a brutal match to continue to add heat to his recently rejuvenated heel run.  It is easy for the “marks” to cheer heels when the match consists of counters and  superior in-ring psychology, but it is another story when one of the superstars is being brutally beaten.

Next: Will Shane And KO Fight At Survivor Series?

Owens already knows how to incorporate certain personality traits to make people hate him, but a vicious, bloody battle with Shane could legitimize his heat.  Not only  could this further Owens run as a top bad guy, but it is one step closer to building an Owens vs. Triple H match.