WWE icon to return after 3 years as a heel and become Kevin Owens’ manager on SmackDown? Chances explored

Kevin Owens has finally unleashed his darker side on SmackDown, attacking Randy Orton with the banned move, the Piledriver. This dangerous maneuver left The Viper unmoving, resulting in him being stretchered out of the arena and taken to the hospital.

Now that The Prizefighter has fully embraced his villainous persona, WWE icon Ric Flair could make his return after three years as a heel to become Owens' manager. The Nature Boy was released from the Stamford-based promotion on August 3, 2021. Since then, he has appeared in various promotions and even made his debut in AEW.

However, given Ric's strong bond with Randy Orton and their shared history as members of the Evolution, there is speculation about Flair’s potential inclusion in this storyline. The 75-year-old legend could return to accompany Owens as a heel manager, encouraging the latter's dark side in his feud against The Apex Predator.

Although such an alliance seems unlikely in WWE, it could elevate Owens’ heel character to new heights. Moreover, Flair’s involvement could pave the way for a future showdown between Randy Orton and Kevin Owens. A possible scenario might see KO growing frustrated with Ric's interference after a few weeks, leading him to turn against the latter.

This would prompt The Legend Killer to return and seek revenge on Owens for his recent actions. The Kevin-Randy storyline continues to develop with each passing week, keeping fans deeply invested. It remains to be seen what steps KO will take next after sidelining Orton once again.

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Kevin Owens might target a major star after Randy Orton

With Kevin Owens taking down Randy Orton and writing him off television, fans speculate that Cody Rhodes could be his next target. Both KO and The American Nightmare have unfinished business, and with The Viper out of the equation now, a feud between the two men seems logical.

Meanwhile, Sami Zayn also appears to be a strong candidate as the next target of the former Universal Champion. The Underdog from the Underground and KO share a deep bond of friendship, both on-screen and in real life. However, Zayn’s recent actions have undoubtedly triggered Owens, especially after his decision to reunite with the original Bloodline.

Now that Sami has officially reclaimed his role as the Honorary Uce, Kevin Owens could soon confront him, expressing his dissatisfaction with the former's alliance with Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, and Jimmy Uso.