10 Wrestlers Who Deserve A Big Push After WWE Royal Rumble 2021

8. Kevin Owens

Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE.com

Kevin Owens lost to Roman Reigns, as he should have.

This was neither the time nor the place for 'The Head of the Table' to lose his incredible momentum and drop the Universal Championship. That moment should be saved until the perfect 'Tribal Chief'-toppling babyface has been built over the course of several months, creating the ultimate cathartic rush as whoever WWE deems worthy claims the scalp of wrestling's most domineering villain. No disrespect to KO, who is a wonderful performer, but pulling the trigger at the Rumble would have felt like a waste of Roman's first big loss since returning. It wasn't right.

Owens wrestled like a demon at Royal Rumble 2021, though. He brought intensity and thunder to a match stipulation often desperately lacking in both. On top of that, he took two ridiculous, back-cracking bumps through tables from great heights, went through and LED board, and got mowed down by a golf cart, further proving his selflessness and commitment when it comes to getting a match or a moment over. Few in WWE suffer for their art like he does.

For that, KO should be rewarded. This guy puts his body through hell for his employers.

Channel Manager
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.