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Kevin Owens has been very vocal about the impact that Stone Cold Steve Austin has had on his career. And there are far too many similarities between his current character and those of The Texas Rattlesnake.
Kevin Owens has started using the Stunner as his finisher. Moreover, he is the voice of the people, fighting against the authority and the tyranny of one Shane McMahon, just like Austin did against his father, Vince McMahon.
So it made all the sense in the world to have Kevin Owens and Stone Cold Steve Austin team up for a special segment at RAW Reunion. Why did it not happen(?), is a question many have been asking.
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While this is a speculative article, I think I have some answers for you guys.
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#5 Austin would overshadow Owens in any such segment
Let me preface this by saying that I have the utmost respect for a legend like Kevin Owens. He is one of the greatest performers of our era, whether it is in terms of cutting promos or actually competing when the bell rings. He's got the support of the 'smart fans' and even the casual audience is drawn to his charisma.
But there is no way that you can put him next to someone like Stone Cold Steve Austin and not have him get outshined by a man who's arguably the greatest ever performer in the history of the wrestling business. At RAW Reunion, you also had Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair on the ramp, which just felt very special indeed, but the energy in the room changed when Stone Cold walked in. It was very special.
WWE does want to remind viewers that things used to be better back in the Attitude Era.
#4 What Austin did at RAW Reunion was a more special moment
With a whole host of Superstars on the ramp from the history of RAW, past and present, Stone Cold Steve Austin strode to the ring as only he can, with his trademark pomp and swagger. For a change, he did not stun anyone at all. And yet, everyone in the arena knew how special the segment was.
This was the first time in years that we saw the man behind the mask that is Stone Cold Steve Austin emerge, saluting his brothers and his sisters. He called them so and also addressed those at home as part of his extended family. It was a moment that was so different from the usual stuff we're served with on RAW, that it'll be remembered for a long time indeed.
Stunners in unison are great. But they wouldn't compare to this.
#3 Would have killed the SmackDown Live main event spot
You have to remember that WWE has to do not just one but two shows every week. While Kevin Owens and Stone Cold Steve Austin could have brought the house down with Stunners, it would have ruined SmackDown Live.
SmackDown's plan was to go off the air with Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens standing tall, laying waste to Shane McMahon's big plans. Having them work in concert was the biggest thing on the show, and the ultimate thing that would get fans pumped up.
RAW crossed the 3 million mark in terms of viewership in the United States and SmackDown really needed somewhat of a viewership boost. Would it have been possible without the sight of Shane McMahon's evil plans crumbling all around him?
Because this was already planned for SmackDown Live, I'm guessing that they didn't want overkill with RAW as well!
#2 Kevin Owens was at a different show
I would like to thank James Elston who wrote in with this piece of information. Kevin Owens was at a different show when WWE RAW Reunion was underway, which is why he wasn't in attendance.
Owens was part of an event in Fort Myers where he did deliver a Stunner but in front of a significantly smaller crowd. So much so, that I can't even find footage of the same online, even on Twitter which is usually filled to the brim with GIFs and clips. I really do wonder if this was a wise decision on WWE's part as I'm certain that Owens would have been a better fit at the RAW Reunion.
But what ended up happening is that Owens interrupted an Elias segment and had him eat a stunner to the delight of the crowd. That's what you get with split rosters.
#1 Don't trust anyone
I'm sure many of you have followed Stone Cold Steve Austin through the years. His catchphrase, in addition to 'And that's the bottom line' and 'what?' has always been 'Don't Trust Anyone'.
Steve Austin would deliver the stunner to friends and foes alike during the Attitude Era, becoming what would be known as the 'tweener', someone who's neither a pure heel like Samoa Joe or a pure babyface like John Cena. He would become a symbol of how one man can rise up against the machine, and take on all comers when he has been wronged.
If Owens had delivered a Stunner in unison with Stone Cold, I can imagine him eating a Stunner afterwards. And that wouldn't be a good look for Owens whom WWE is trying to get over as a top babyface.
Sure, Austin celebrated with a bunch of people last night, but that was the man behind the character, with the curtain pulled back.
