As we approach Sunday’s 29th edition of the Survivor Series, there will be a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion crowned. This years contenders include Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Alberto Del Rio, and Kevin Owens. Del Rio, the current United States Champion, is the only participant in the final four who has been WWE Champion. Roman Reigns won last year’s Royal Rumble but fell short at WrestleMania after Seth Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank contact. As we know Reigns was set to face Rollins at Survivor Series, but was forced to vacate the title due to injury. While it seems to be time for the Roman Empire, Kevin Owens, who already has won the NXT and Intercontinental Championships, has been on the fast track to superstardom. Now it is time to pull the trigger.

As we get closer to WrestleMania season, injuries have seemed to take a toll on the WWE. Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, Rusev and one of the biggest phenomenons in the past five years, Daniel Bryan are all sidelined. And right now, John Cena is on vacation. Roman Reigns has had a difficult time maintaining the crowd support. One day they are on his side, the next day they hate him.

Kevin Owens has been in the wrestling business for over a decade and he continues to remind everyone that he is the best at what he does. If you are not familiar with his work as Kevin Steen, I advise you to check out his work at Ring of Honor.  He was must see television. When he arrived at NXT, he skyrocketed to the main event picture his first night. After his best friend, Sami Zayn, won the NXT Championship, Owens celebrated with him, and then attacked him immediately. At the next NXT Takeover, Owens was the new NXT Champion. Just like he did at Ring of Honor, he made NXT must see television.

Many people are saying that it is too soon for Owens to become WWE World Heavyweight Champion. I like to compare him to the 16-time World Heavyweight Champion, Ric Flair. Flair signed with the WWE in August of 1991. At that time he was still recognized as the NWA World Heavyweight Champion. This led to the WWE Championship being vacated since Flair was calling himself the “Real World Champion” and in January of 1992, he was the new Undisputed WWE World Champion. During this time WWE dominated the north, while WCW dominated the south. While Flair was a household name in the wrestling community, however there were still sports entertainment fans that never saw the best of Flair. Sure they had access to the magazines and there were tape traders, but fans never experienced the real Ric Flair in the north. When Flair became WWE champion, he thrived in the land of the giants.  And just like that Flair’s following increased.

While Owens did not enter the WWE as a world champion, the momentum he entered the company with is very similar to what Flair had in 1992. In 2015 Kevin Owens winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship is best for business.

@BrianHWaters