When NXT champion Kevin Owens shocked the world at Elimination Chamber by beating John Cena in dominant fashion, it was a sign of things to come.
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The pair had traded excellent spots on Raw and the tension between the ‘next big thing’ and ‘face of the company’ was evident.
Even better, their chemistry in the ring was exceptional.
This all culminated in a second match at last weekend’s Money in the Bank which left the entire WWE Universe aghast at what they had seen.
The fight promised much in the build-up, but it delivered even more.
Innovative and brutal, the second bout was told superbly by both cast members, with a pace built out of tension before a number of surprise turns and near pinfalls lead to a final crescendo that will live long in the memory.
In this column’s preview and prediction to MITB, we said this one would end with a Cena win to set up a decisive match with both Owens’ NXT and Cena’s US titles on the line.
#WWE #MITB HIGHLIGHTS: @JohnCena brought the fight to @FightOwensFight, courtesy of @WWENetwork! http://t.co/RNRwN9qjwH #OwensvsCena2
— WWE (@WWE) June 16, 2015
We are over the moon that this prediction was, ahem… on the money.
It leaves us with the prospect of one of the most mouth-watering unification bouts in WWE history, despite the relative stature of the titles and infancy of the rivalry.
The reason why Cena vs Owens has drawn such a fervours response is a number of factors that highlights the strong position that the WWE finds itself.
Firstly, creative has managed to tell an enthralling story between two of its wrestlers on the back of intense support both positive and negative towards the wrestlers.
Cena, long-time franchise favourite, is still jeered and cheered in equal measure at every stadium, while Owens has developed an ardent following through his NXT performances, even as a heel.
It is his no-nonsense, and at times cruel, persona that has seen him leave a trail of destruction in his wake, first through the proving ground and now the big stage.
Go behind the scenes at last Sunday’s @WWE #MITB event with these unseen backstage photos! http://t.co/DLc7KiCjPr pic.twitter.com/qhVgpVf9oX
— WWE (@WWE) June 16, 2015
In Cena he has also found the perfect man to help him step up the ladder.
Cena is a 15-time World Heavyweight champion, so when Owens cleanly beat him his win was given instant credibility.
Likewise, Cena’s victory in one of his finest in-ring displays (of which there are many) last weekend reasserted himself as a worthy champion and brought a few more naysayers back on his side.
Throw in two matches that have upstaged the last two PPV main events and a few never-before-seen moves and you’re clearly on to a winner.
If the last match was anything to go by, then we should all hope that this rivalry runs and runs.
