Kevin Owens Teases NXT Return After WWE SmackDown Firing

Cryptic tweet uncoded.

by Michael Sidgwick
Geek Kevin Owens
WWE.com

On last night's SmackDown Live, WWE wrote Kevin Owens out of storylines in what, subjectively, was a dire and counterproductive angle. And that isn't a cynicism gimmick: is there a living soul on this planet who could possibly believe Owens just experienced his last moment in a WWE ring?

Also: why did Owens, a babyface, turn his back on the heel, Shane McMahon? Is there a living soul on this planet who could possibly believe Shane wasn't going to attack him from behind? The answer to that question is one - Kevin Owens - making him the dumbest bastard in recorded history.

But.

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This might - might - be one of those super-sh*tty means to a very promising end sort of deals.

After the show, Owens tweeted, cryptically, '14-24-20'. A detective going by the username @PikaPriest solved the alphabetised code: 14th letter = N, 24th = X, 20 = T.

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It appears that Owens is alluding to an NXT return, and it's perhaps notable that he and NXT Champion Adam Cole have teased a programme earlier this year. "I'll undisputedly be watching," Owens said of TakeOver XXV.

A cheeky way of building intrigue, or a real clue as to his next destination?

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Shane McMahon needs to be avenged, else this storyline is a complete waste - but Owens is perhaps the perfect main roster star to make the switch. Over, and at least very good at everything, such a development makes a great deal of sense.

Or maybe he'll turn up in AEW! He was fired by WWE, after all!

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!