10 Clean Wins Over Top WWE Stars That Were Totally Wasted
3. Kevin Owens D. John Cena (Elimination Chamber 2015)
Kevin Owens' main roster career got off to a great start when he memorably answered John Cena's United States Title open challenge in 2015. He decided to forgo the opportunity of a title shot, but wanted a piece of the US Champ regardless, assaulting Cena after his memorable introductory promo, before symbolically stomping down on the belt.
The non-title clash was made for Elimination Chamber, and on his very first main roster match, Kevin Owens pinned John cleanly. It's the kind of move that is almost unheard of in WWE these days, and it gave KO a boatload of momentum to start his Raw career, though WWE soon undid it.
Owens fell to Cena in a rematch at Money in the Bank, before finally challenging for the US Title at Battleground. John submitted his opponent that night, ending their feud at 2-1, and sending Owens back down the ladder.
While KO undoubtedly won plenty of infamy, popularity, and credibility through the feud with Cena, WWE could've minted him as a main eventer with that first win over Cena, or by having him take the United States Championship at Battleground. Instead, he dropped down to the midcard, and didn't become a true headliner until late 2016.