’Best Of…’ Series: WWE Year In 2016

3. The Cash-In Of Justice

The Hounds of Justice. We all know the three names that erupt in our minds when that pseudo-stable name is spoken amongst the fans. The Shield would debut in 2012 at WWE Survivor Series by attacking Ryback which sent a message to the WWE Universe that a new era has arrived. The members of the former Shield stable are Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, & Seth Rollins all have since made a name for themselves on the main rosters of RAW & SmackDown. Before going on their own singles careers, the three members of this devastatingly calculating team would string an undefeated streak lasting from December 2012 to May 2013 during which they scored a victory at WrestleMania 29. The Hounds of Justice would also claim victories over big-time WWE Superstars like, Big Show, Chris Jericho, Daniel Bryan, John Cena, CM Punk, Kane, Randy Orton, Ryback, Mark Henry, Sheamus, The Wyatt Family, The Undertaker, Batista, and Triple H. However, there should be no surprise as the words echoed by Rollins were to “take over the WWE” and indeed they did by first winning the United States Championship which was held by Dean Ambrose for a record-breaking year; the longest of the WWE version and WWE Tag Team Championship through Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns. The stable would meet a powerful and bone-chilling end with Rollins turning his back on Ambrose and Reigns after much manipulation by Triple H. From that time to the present we’ve seen each former member grow into their own having amassed a total of 6-World Champions amongst them all; Ambrose’s 1-time reign, Rollins being a 2-time World Champion (although his 2nd reign lasted only seconds), and Roman Reigns with the most, being a 3-time World Champion. The cash-in was truly great as all three members were WWE World Heavyweight Champion in the same night. Something that nobody ever would have guessed since the shift of WWE going through the re-draft of their rosters. Another amazing cash-in was when all three former Shield member facing each other was a dream match any fan of The Shield would have enjoyed. The match was also pitched by fans being a dream triple threat main event at WrestleMania. Although the match became a reality and wasn’t held at Mania it was Dean Ambrose defending the World Heavyweight title against Rollins and Reigns where Ambrose came out victorious pinning Reigns to the mat for the 3-count. Despite the fact that each former members getting mixed reactions as they make their way to the ring, Ambrose, Reigns, and Rollins are the company’s top players for a long time as the new era belongs to The Shield. Believe That!

2. The KO Heard Around the World

Kevin Owens has always been someone that has aimed for the biggest goals of his career and accomplished them. During his early years in ROH display a never-say-die attitude being famous for bleeding excessively showing his determination to fight through anything. The chant of “FIGHT OWENS FIGHT” is the prime results of fans enjoying Owens just putting his body through anything to win and win Kevin Owens (Steen) did. The chant would come after an exchange of head butts and found his second wind with longtime friend and rival Steve Corino. With that match being an emotional moment for his last appearance with ROH and a touching way to for someone who wasn’t even regarded to be the ROH World Champion let alone be a WWE star he’s proven them all wrong. Once announced that Owens would sign to WWE, fans reveled in the fact that he finally made it to the “big leagues”. In great Kevin Owens (Steen) fashion, his first-night wrestling for the company in NXT would monumental as he won his first match and attacked his best friend Sami Zayn (El Generico) at the closing moments of the night. Owens’ rise to becoming the greatest in the WWE today began on that night. Once Owens won the NXT Championship the attitude and ego of the Canadian athlete grew as he appeared unannounced on Monday Night RAW during one of John Cena’s United States Championship Open Challenges. Owens wouldn’t want a title shot but a match with Cena. At Elimination Chamber, Owens would do the very quality he’s best known for doing, SHOCK the WWE Universe by pinning John Cena cleanly. After his feud with Cena, Owens would become a mainstay on the main roster and lost the NXT title to Finn Balor. His extension on the main roster was a revitalization for what a Heel character is supposed to be in the WWE. Fast forward, to the Summer 0f 2016 and Balor having been injured to vacate the Universal Championship. It was time to crown a new champion but who would it be, Big Cass, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, or Kevin Owens. Aforementioned the words best associated with Owens is SHOCK and FIGHT OWENS FIGHT as it became perfectly clear in this fatal-4 way elimination match for the then, vacant WWE Universal Championship. From the clear blue, Triple H would get involved by assisting in the elimination of Reigns and Rollins to practically hand the title to Kevin Owens. He truly deserved the world title win after displaying one of the most unique growths in the WWE. His attitude of being a prized fighter and only fighting when the time and opponent are right added to a persona that would not only be loved but desired in the today’s WWE climate. His future is bright and anyone thinking this will be his only world title run doesn’t have a clear overview of Kevin Owens. Time will only tell. FIGHT OWENS FIGHT!

(Continue to pg. 3: Honorable Mentions & #1 “The Phenomenal World Capture”)