Despite his appearance, though, Owens has had much success in WWE since signing with the company and joining NXT back in August 2014. In addition to the NXT Championship, the 36-year-old Canadian has had multiple reigns with both the United States and Intercontinental titles as well.

It is Owens’ sole run as Universal Champion, however, that ranks as his biggest accolade to date. ‘KO’ enjoyed an entertaining run as a champion between August 2016 and March 2017, where he was a consistent highlight on RAW.

Owens is currently embroiled in a feud with Roman Reigns on SmackDown, where he is looking to claim the Universal Championship for a second time.

However, when he was first hired by WWE, few predicted that Kevin Owens would go on to win a World Championship in the promotion. One man who saw Owens’ potential at a very early stage, though, is former WWE Superstar Jacques Rougeau, better known to fans as The Mountie.

Speaking to Dr. Chris Featherstone on the most recent edition of SK Wrestling’s Inside SKoop, Rougeau recalled being immediately impressed when a young Kevin Owens came to workout at the veteran’s training school:

Rougeau also highlighted how quick Owens was at picking up new skills - both in the ring and on the microphone:

The Mountie, though, is far from the only former active WWE Superstar to have praised Owens, as many other legends have also expressed their appreciation and respect for the Prizefighter in the past.

Here are five former WWE Superstars who have praised Kevin Owens.

#5 Bret Hart once called Kevin Owens his favorite current WWE Superstar

When it comes to Canadian professional wrestlers, Bret Hart is pretty much royalty. So when Hart called his countryman Owens “my number one favourite wrestler in wrestling right now” back in 2015, it was high praise indeed.

The Hitman made the glowing statement during a Q & A session with Canadian broadcaster TSN, in which he also dismissed criticisms of Owens’ physical condition:

Hart was known during his own Hall of Fame career as being one of the very best at having great matches with larger Superstars. Judging by his comments, he would have loved to have worked with Owens in the ring. A fantastic endorsement for Kevin Owens from one of the best of all-time.

#4 Chris Jericho praised Kevin Owens for “reigniting his passion” for professional wrestling

Chris Jericho is a big fan of Kevin Owens. The pair first teamed together in WWE in the summer of 2016, with their association lasting for much of KO’s reign as Universal Champion.

As part of one of his Q & A live-stream sessions last year, Jericho revealed just how much he had enjoyed working with Owens during that time.

‘Le Champion’ had only been due to return to WWE for a short period to face AJ Styles at WrestleMania 32, but ended up extending the run in order to work with Kevin Owens:

The Jericho and Owens partnership made for some highly entertaining television. However, their time as a unit is just as fondly remembered for the manner in which it ended.

The ‘Festival of Friendship’ segment in which Owens turned on Jericho in Las Vegas was fabulously executed. One of the best angles seen on RAW in years when it took place in February 2017, the turn led to Owens and Jericho squaring off at WrestleMania 33.

Whilst their WrestleMania match was ultimately underwhelming, the duo certainly produced plenty of quality in the build-up. Though Jericho made the jump to AEW in early 2019, he and Owens remain good friends.

Had Jericho not had such a great time working with Kevin Owens, it is entirely possible that he could have opted to call time on his in-ring career back in 2016. Given the impact that Jericho has made in AEW, that would not have been a positive for wrestling fans.

#3 ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin gave Kevin Owens his blessing to use the Stunner

WWE fans were excited when Kevin Owens adopted ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin’s iconic Stunner as his new finishing move in 2019.

Originally, WWE bosses were against the idea of Owens using such a legendary move, as they felt it did not fit with his character. Another possible reason behind their resistance could have been the fact that Austin still appears on WWE television occasionally.

However, ‘The Texas Rattlesnake’ himself had already given Owens permission to use the move. Austin even went as far as to send a tweet endorsing its use after Owens stunned Shane McMahon on an episode of SmackDown.

Speaking shortly afterward in an interview with Sports Illustrated, Austin confirmed that he had no issue with Owens claiming his finisher:

In the same interview, the WWE Hall of Famer also spoke highly of Owens ability as a performer:

Now, of course, there will never be another ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin. Kevin Owens, though, embodies much of the unique attitude that made The Rattlesnake such a popular Superstar. If there was ever a character suited to carrying on the legacy of the Stone Cold Stunner, then Kevin Owens is that man.

#2 Cody Rhodes praised Kevin Owens for introducing him to The Young Bucks

Before he established himself as one of WWE’s top Superstars, Kevin Owens worked for fifteen years on the independent circuit.

Building his reputation in promotions such as Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) and Ring of Honor (ROH) under his real name of Kevin Steen, Owens competed alongside many stars of the future. Two of these stars were The Young Bucks.

Shortly after Cody Rhodes was granted his release from WWE in 2016, he asked Owens for some advice as to how best to be successful on the independent scene.

Knowing that Nick and Matt Jackson had themselves already carved out a profitable niche on the circuit, Owens had little hesitation in introducing Cody to The Young Bucks - his future AEW business partners.

Speaking in 2019, Rhodes praised Owens for his help and support:

Without Kevin Owens offering to help connect Cody with The Young Bucks, there is a fair chance that we may never have seen the formation of AEW. Whilst Owens had no way of knowing how much the trio would go on to achieve, his role in bringing them together was still crucial.

#1 The Rock praised Kevin Owens for his work ethic

The Rock first came across Kevin Owens whilst training for his WWE comeback in 2012. Despite now being the highest-paid actor on the planet, Dwayne Johnson has always kept in touch with - and remained a fan of - professional wrestling.

Prior to 2012, however, The Rock’s last official singles match had taken place all the way back in 2003. In order to make sure that its star attraction was ready for his return to the ring, WWE arranged for him to workout alongside then-Superstars Curt Hawkins and Curtis Axel.

In a 2017 Instagram post, The Rock revealed how a post-training discussion had seen Kevin Owens mentioned:

Kevin Owens would, indeed, sign with WWE - and eventually become a World Champion. The Rock praised Owens for his efforts, alongside a picture of the two together at a WWE television taping:

As one of the biggest Superstars in WWE history, endorsements do not get much larger than one from The Rock. Kevin Owens, though, absolutely deserves the credit he received.

0 votes