Chris Jericho introduced Kevin Owens on his podcast as "longest-reigning" WWE Universal Champion and his "best friend," but Owens didn't know he'd win the title until 5 PM local time.
On Talk is Jericho, agreed to being Jericho's best friend, said he just got a new dog and recently won the WWE Universal Champion. He insisted despite the many incarnations of the title, the one he holds is still the same title he saw Shawn Michaels win at Wrestlemania 12. "Its essentially the WWE Championship right, its called something else" said Owens "it's still that title."
On his way to being WWE Universal Champion, Kevin Owens had detractors. He spoke about one in particular, Jim Cornette.
"(Cornette) says the reason I'm successful now is because I changed my attitude and must be listening to what people tell me now" Owens said of his most vocal critic "I used to not listen to him...because I didn't agree with them, I didn't change who I am." He said that he will always speak his mind when he disagrees with someone and said it has not been a problem in WWE. "From the moment I got here (WWE), people like producers, I feel like I have a really good relationship with everyone."
Owens found out hours before Raw he would be winning the championship. "For some reason, I was so convincing in my performance, that people thought I didn't know and when Triple H rolled me in the ring, he said 'just go with it'." Owens did say he knew at "maybe 5pm".
"It couldn't be better...it obviously opens a lot of doors tv-wise, but for me personally...Triple H got me here, he made the call to hire me." It means a lot for Owens because he has always been told being himself will hold him back in professional wrestling. "Being me is important" Owens said.
Owens is coming off winning the championship two weeks ago on RAW then entering into a feud with Seth Rollins. The two wrestlers are booked for a title match September 25th at Clash of Champions.
