Money in the Bank: Kevin Owens is WWE’s best heel

Ring Psychology

I will say with all the confidence in the world that no one in the WWE has better ring psychology than Kevin Owens. This man can work the crowd and his opponent during a match and keep viewers engaged by implementing character work in the match narrative. After regaining offense in a match, he will turn to the audience and say something like “And that’s why I’m the best!” or he will tell them to shut up if they are cheering his opponent or booing him. Another example is his constant use of trash talking during a match. During the previously mentioned Battleground match in 2016, towards the climatic finish, there is a moment where Zayn is barely able to stand on his knees, and Owens continuously slaps him. In between each slap, he says “Stay down,” “Why won’t you stay down?,” “Don’t make me do this, stay down.” He does such a brilliant job of incorporating character work in his matches and using it to control the crowd and his opponents.

This isn’t just between bells either; his use of psychology starts from before the bell and goes throughout.

Let’s look at multiple examples from his Money in the Bank match with Kofi:

• He comes down to the ring angry and focused. He is screaming and yelling at the audience, followed up by him yelling at the Titantron “Come on, bring your a– out here,” speaking directly to Kofi, whose music hasn’t even hit yet. This is a bull seeing red.
• Once Kofi comes down, Owens’ immediately in Kofi’s face, getting the Champion to be emotional.
• During the match, he throws Kofi to the ground after an Irish Whip and turns to the audience. He yells “Who’s got something to say?”
• The constant mocking of the New Day clap.
• Challenging the ref after a clear one count saying it was a count of three. This is protecting his character’s ego, touching on the subtle desperation.
• Screaming after doing the frog splash off the apron to the outside. He is amped up and motivated. He doesn’t need the crowd support. He is thriving in spite of it.
• The increased use of the Boston Crab to capitalize off the repeated attacks on Kofi’s back.
• After a two count, his use of the “you should of stayed down” with subsequent slaps.
• Telling the crowd “shut up” to Kofi and “stop clapping” in their attempts to will Kofi.
• Rolling out of the ring after getting hit with “Trouble in Paradise” to protect the move and showcase ring awareness.
• And the best one, taking off Kofi’s shoes and throwing them in the crowd. This is great because of Kofi’s finisher being the “Trouble in Paradise” kick, and his logical is Kofi being barefoot will help with the impact. Genius.

I loved this match and it was my personal favorite one of the night. Though this seems to be the end of the feud, I would love to see these two continue fighting, which could be continued with Kevin Owen’s obsession with the title. He came out for this match like a man possessed and it could be easily played up that he is not finish and will not give up until the Prizefighter has his prize.