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While we debate the how, there’s no denying the who is pretty darn exciting.
Kevin Owens, né Steen, is the new WWE Universal champion and de facto top man on Raw. It’s always cool when someone wins the big company’s major title for the first time, but for KO - a guy written off at every level because of his look, but who just kept turning more and more people into fans with his hard work, athletic ability and charisma - this one feels like a victory for a lot of people, inside and outside the business.
The cross section of well-wishes he’s receiving on Twitter in the moments after his big win is certainly indicative of that:
Congrats to @FightOwensFight
— Finn Bálor (@FinnBalor) August 30, 2016
We have been through it all together.
I've no doubt we will go through it all again pic.twitter.com/I7P7wqgFHy
Yes you are! pic.twitter.com/jz4zutIkK1
— The Young Bucks (@NickJacksonYB) August 30, 2016
— The Young Bucks (@MattJackson13) August 30, 2016
I like and respect Jim Cornette, but this is the greatest tweet of all time. https://t.co/uvREagz8EU
— Gabe Sapolsky (@BookItGabe) August 30, 2016
"Good things happen to good people" is the battle cry of the year 2016. Congratulations @FightOwensFight! No one deserves it more.
— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) August 30, 2016
Unreal. Congrats @FightOwensFight!
— Sami Callihan (@TheSamiCallihan) August 30, 2016
Very inspiring to see friends do so well. What a night on #RAW Welcome to the #KOShow @FightOwensFight @WWE
— Dillinger (@WWEDillinger) August 30, 2016
Regardless of my questions @FightOwensFight deserved my congratulations. Incredible match for the #Universal title. pic.twitter.com/QkJ9MkkKuY
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) August 30, 2016
Yo yo Kevin Owens congrats my brother HH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) August 30, 2016
Congrats to the NEW @WWE Universal Champion @FightOwensFight It's now the KO SHOW!
— John Layfield (@JCLayfield) August 30, 2016
Over is over...even if you wear a shirt. CONGRATS @FightOwensFight. #ChosenOne #RAW
— Bubba Ray Dudley (@BubbaRayDudley) August 30, 2016
Bravo @WWE - Well done! #RAW & big congrats to @FightOwensFight
— TAZ (@OfficialTAZ) August 30, 2016
KEVIN OWENS IRON SHEIK CLASS
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) August 30, 2016
Damn Kevin Owens just got the silver spoon of meat sauce #raw
— Virgil (@TheRealVirgil) August 30, 2016
Congratulations #KevinSteen #FightSteenFight pic.twitter.com/4g1LOunYk0
— ROH Wrestling (@ringofhonor) August 30, 2016
There’ll be more, no doubt, and we’ll try to update them here, but feel free to add others you see below.
(And, for my money, the Bucks win)
Congratulations to Kevin Owens!