10 Most Rebellious Anti-Heroes In WWE History
8. Kevin Owens
Kevin Owens might just be the most believable human being on WWE television today. His motivations are crystal clear: he fights to build a better life for his family, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that goal. Owens doesn’t necessarily enjoy what he does, but he knows he must go all-out to increase his exposure, maximise his revenue and keep providing for his wife and children.
Essentially, KO’s desires are no different to anyone else’s. They’re straightforward and relatable, making it incredibly easy for the average fan to put themselves in Owens’ shoes and relate to his fight, and therein lies KO’s genius. On paper, Owens powerbombing Sami Zayn onto the ring apron or driving a steel chair into an opponent’s head is completely reprehensible, but knowing his motivations almost makes them understandable, and creates a unique moral quandary among the audience.
It’s this relatability that has made Owens one of the most popular wrestlers in the company, despite his heel status. Owens pushes opponents around, beats them up, and belittles them like a schoolyard bully, but it’s all driven by a cause that only a monster couldn’t relate to. His twisted ideology makes Owens WWE’s premier anti-hero in 2016, and there’s a real chance he could become this generation’s Stone Cold should WWE ever turn him face.