10 Most Divisive WWE Match Outcomes Ever

2. John Cena Vs. Kevin Owens - Battleground 2015

Goldberg Lesnar
WWE.com

Who is the more credible top-tier champion - Kevin Owens or AJ Styles?

There can be doubt that the Face That Runs The Place is thoroughly deserving of his nickname. Styles might be in possession of the more prestigious title, but the man makes the title. As we've learned from the failures of The Miz and Sheamus, it doesn't work the other way around.

Owens must be looking at his counterpart with some envy. Styles is a made main event talent, cementing that status with a (WWE) career-making win over John Cena at SummerSlam 2016, whereas Owens' best buds act with Chris Jericho, while entertaining, has a distinctly midcard flavour.

The major difference between Styles and Owens is that the latter was one of many who just couldn't get the job done against John Cena. Their first match, at Elimination Chamber 2015, was as rewarding as it was exciting, even if it was a bit too busy. Cena predictably equalised their series at Money In The Bank, before winning it outright at Battleground.

Owens undoubtedly benefitted from that first, decisive win - but in the wake of his subsequent defeats, he has ironically coopted the false braggadocio of best friend Chris Jericho. When the Ayatollah prattles on about defeating The Rock and Steve Austin on the same night, it rings hollow. He did so via chicanery and did not become a bigger star in the aftermath of Vengeance 2001.

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 current Undisputed WWE 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!