10 Wild Outside Bets To Win Wrestler Of The Year 2022

7. Kevin Steen

Kevin Steen Kevin Owens
Wikipedia

As things stand, Kevin Owens' WWE contract will expire on 31 January 2022. He has been featured in a WWE Champion program lately and may well end up signing a new deal with the company, though Owens and The Young Bucks have both teased his jump to AEW, flooding the internet with speculation. Recent reporting points towards him leaving Stamford in January, too.

The Canadian wouldn't be hindered by a 90-day non-compete clause should his deal expire. He'll be free to go and do whatever he pleases, as soon as he pleases, which would be an exciting prospect for anyone anticipating the return of Kevin Steen.

Reverting to the vicious form of old would immediately make Steen one of the hottest commodities in American wrestling. If he landed in AEW, he would be presented as a big deal near the top of the card from day one, affiliated, as he is, with the Bucks and Adam Cole. A Mount Rushmore reunion in Kenny Omega's injury-enforced absence also opens up all kinds of storytelling possibilities within The Elite and beyond.

Owens has had one of the strongest runs of any WWE wrestler to ever move from NXT to the main roster. While not always pushed to prominence, his popularity has endured, which is to his credit. Kevin's ability to make the most of every creative opportunity is amongst his biggest strengths.

Imagine what he could do with a booker's full support though.

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Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.