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Let the transition continue.

Once the Payback pay-per-view ends, WWE will finally have completed its superstar shake up. With Kevin Owens set to face his former BFF Chris Jericho for the United States  Title this coming Sunday, the final pieces of an evolving roster for both Monday Night Raw and SmackDown Live are on hold.

The winner of the match becomes one of the focal points of Tuesday night programming. The same could be said for the match between Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton. Personally, I think WWE should have planned this a little bit better, knowing there was going to be brand shifting and a lot of confusion to follow.

That’s a moot point as the company gears up for yet another Sunday night event that has to deliver. More importantly, it’s the first pay-per-view after WrestleMania with questions that still need answering.

The most pressing question on my mind is how the company will book Owens in an upcoming feud with AJ Styles and why is the former WWE World Champion is locked into a situation where a secondary title has become his focus?

I really shouldn’t question but WWE is doing here. After all, John Cena gave the United States Title credibility and Daniel Bryan was a former Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion. Both held those titles after they had become the main focus of the main event card. WWE is trying to put together the best possible feud moving forward. Styles and Owens provide that. Since there doesn’t appear to be a true top contender to face Orton after Payback, fans will turn their attention to potentially the best series of matches of 2017. I don’t think it’s too early to say the company may have found lightning in a bottle.

Owens is hitting his stride. Styles is playing a “tweener role” where this type of feud should elevate him back toward the top baby face for the blue brand. Sorry Cena, your time has come and gone.

Fans finally get to opponents who have very little experience in the ring together, and the potential for a show-stopping clash.

When I think about feuds that fans look back upon and talk about from years past, Randy Savage and the Ultimate Warrior come to mind. So does Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho. Add CM Punk and Cena to that list and for those of us old enough to remember, Jack Brisco and Dory Funk, Jr. used to tear down arenas in the state of Florida.

These two current performers have that potential.

I was watching an old segment of WWE’s “tough enough” the other day. Triple H stood in a wrestling ring and told the future superstars, which included Maven, Josh Matthews and Nidia, their job was to tell a story in the ring every night. The greats in this business do that. Not just one night, but over a series of nights and a series of events that culminates and a final action. There is no doubt these two men will do that.

Styles, for everything he is, will bring out the best in Owens. Owens, who is entrenched as the resident “bad guy” will do the same for his adversary. That’s what wrestling is supposed to do. Hopefully, it means both superstars will work their way back to the main event picture. And if WWE wants to follow a familiar script, then the winner of this three-chapter dance, should fall in line as a top contender for Orton’s title.

It’s just another way for WWE to create better feuds, better storylines and more importantly better options for fans as they look for something new to keep their interest. This feud will surpass everyone’s expectations.

 

 

 

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