It was announced during tonight's episode of WWE SmackDown that Kevin Owens will be competing in a major match at an upcoming show. The Prizefighter will challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Bash in Berlin on August 31.
Solo Sikoa wanted to face Rhodes in a rematch for the title, but the champion refused. SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis noted that he was considering giving Roman Reigns a title shot, and Owens claimed that everyone in the locker room deserved it more than The Tribal Chief. Aldis then made the match between Owens and Rhodes official for the Premium Live Event at the end of the month.
Listed below are four signs Kevin Owens will turn heel before his title match at Bash in Berlin.
#4. Kevin Owens was unhappy with Nick Aldis' decision on WWE SmackDown
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Kevin Owens initially declined Cody Rhodes' suggestion that the two stars face each other at WWE Bash in Berlin. He referenced his win/loss record in the past year and claimed he wasn't worthy of being given a title shot.
However, Nick Aldis still booked the match for August 31 despite Owens making it known that he didn't want to be a part of it. The former Universal Champion could be angry at having to face his friend at Bash in Berlin, and it may cause him to turn against Rhodes in the weeks ahead.
#3. He bashed Roman Reigns after he returned as a babyface
Roman Reigns returned to a thunderous ovation at the conclusion of SummerSlam this past Saturday night. The Original Tribal Chief attacked Solo Sikoa, and Cody Rhodes capitalized to retain the title. WWE fans have been chanting "We want Roman!" for months and appear to be finally ready to embrace the veteran as a babyface.
Kevin Owens took several shots at the 39-year-old during tonight's SmackDown. He noted that Reigns relied on The Bloodline to remain champion and cost him multiple opportunities to capture the title. Owens may become bitter that fans have accepted Roman Reigns as a babyface, and it could lead to a surprising heel turn ahead of Bash in Berlin.
#2. Owens could become obsessed with capturing the Undisputed WWE Championship
Kevin Owens captured the Universal Championship almost eight years ago on the August 29, 2016, edition of RAW. Triple H helped the SmackDown star pick up the victory in a stunning finish to the match. It is the only time Owens has held a major title on the main roster. The veteran is also a former NXT and Intercontinental Champion and has held the United States Title three times.
The 40-year-old may realize that he now has a golden opportunity ahead of him to get back to the top of the card. Owens could become obsessed with defeating Rhodes in the build for Bash in Berlin and could resort to attacking the former AEW star ahead of the Premium Live Event.
#1. Kevin Owens has excelled as a heel before
Cody Rhodes has established himself as one of the biggest babyfaces in the company, and Kevin Owens has spent a significant amount of time during his career portraying a heel. He has put his own interests on the backburner to assist Rhodes during his rivalry against The Bloodline in the past few months, and could decide to turn his back on Rhodes on WWE SmackDown.
Rhodes extended the offer to Owens out of friendship but may have made a grave mistake. Kevin Owens could have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to betray Cody Rhodes all along, and now he has the chance to do so ahead of Bash in Berlin.