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Kevin Owens Reveals Why He Rejected Damian Priest WWE Partnership During Pandemic Era

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WWE standout Kevin Owens recently disclosed that he turned down a proposed alliance with Damian Priest during the pandemic period, casting new light on backstage decisions and creative shifts. The revelation came as Owens discussed the story behind why the Kevin Owens rejected Damian Priest partnership never materialized, offering an inside look into a moment that could have changed the WWE landscape in 2021.

How the Owens-Priest Partnership Was Pitched

During a period when WWE was adapting to the challenges of the pandemic, creative teams searched for compelling storylines to engage audiences. Owens, who had established himself as a fierce adversary to Roman Reigns during the latter’s dominant run as Universal Champion, found himself at the heart of an unexpected proposal. According to Owens, he was approached backstage with the idea that he would reveal a surprising new ally to help balance the odds against Reigns’ Bloodline faction.

Owens recounted his initial reaction, questioning who this prospective ally would be, only to learn that it was Damian Priest, who was then primarily known for his work in NXT. Owens was told Priest would not just help him, but would be introduced as his best friend—a premise Owens found implausible given their on-screen personas and lack of previous connection. The suggestion that the two, who hadn’t interacted in NXT, would suddenly appear as lifelong friends led Owens to express skepticism over how this would resonate with viewers.

Kevin Owens
Image of: Kevin Owens

Backstage Pushback and Alternate Plans

The partnership proposal seemed to gain a brief foothold within WWE’s creative discussions but did not last long. Owens was direct in his response, stating that he was not comfortable with presenting Damian Priest as his best friend on television. His rationale centered on authenticity and audience perception, emphasizing that such a sudden shift in character dynamics could feel forced and random to viewers familiar with both men’s histories.

“It was gonna be him versus Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble. I was incensed, I said ‘F**k no’. But for what it’s worth I didn’t derail his career, he debuted on the main roster like two weeks later or whatever.”

—Kevin Owens, WWE Superstar

The original plan would have removed Owens from a high-profile match—potentially sidelining his own storyline with Reigns at the Royal Rumble in favor of Priest. Owens noted that his objection did not impede Priest’s trajectory, as Priest debuted on the main WWE roster shortly after. The decision to scrap the proposed friendship storyline ultimately preserved Owens’ role in the ongoing narrative and Priest’s individual ascent.

Concerns About Audience and Character Consistency

Owens later elaborated further on his reasoning, stating that his primary concern was how credible the partnership would appear to the WWE audience. He felt that while the audience would not necessarily object to a pairing between himself and Priest, the abrupt nature of presenting them as best friends would lack substantiation. Both men had histories in NXT but had never been depicted as allies, making the sudden alliance difficult for the audience to accept as organic character development.

“It was one thing if they had told me that you were gonna bring him in as our backup, just a guy that you saw in NXT that impressed you but no ‘he has to be your best friend’. Also I spent years television wise f**king screwing every friend I had, and not in the fun way. Backstabbing them, so why would I introduce this random best friend?”

—Kevin Owens, WWE Superstar

Owens pointed out that his established persona on WWE television had involved numerous betrayals of friends and allies, making it inconsistent to suddenly embrace a new best friend without any narrative setup. He emphasized that a more believable transition would involve Priest simply joining Owens as a recruited ally, not as someone spontaneously presented as a childhood confidant.

The Aftermath and Owens’ Current Status

Following the decision not to pursue the storyline, both Owens and Priest moved forward with their careers on divergent paths. Priest’s main roster debut came soon after, leading to his own successes within WWE’s competitive environment. The storyline decision maintained continuity for Owens, who continued his bitter rivalry with Roman Reigns and The Bloodline, while also solidifying his on-screen motivations and character arc.

Currently, Kevin Owens is sidelined from in-ring action due to a serious neck injury, with fans and insiders awaiting updates on his health status. The incident provides a glimpse into how creative decisions and performer input can shape major narratives behind the scenes, impacting not just individual careers but entire event lineups across WWE programming.

Implications for WWE Storytelling and Fan Engagement

The episode underscores the importance of character consistency and audience believability in modern WWE storytelling. Owens’ rejection of the Kevin Owens rejected Damian Priest partnership reflects the delicate balance between creative innovation and loyalty to established personas. The choice by WWE to not force an unrealistic alliance supported Owens’ own credibility and allowed Priest to carve out his own identity upon joining the main roster.

As WWE continues to evolve its approach to talent partnerships and faction-building, this behind-the-scenes moment demonstrates how performers like Kevin Owens can influence long-term story arcs. With both Owens and Priest remaining prominent figures in the company, fans are likely to see these characters develop further—each following a path better aligned with their histories and audience expectations.

Kevin Jewell
Kevin Jewell
Kevin Jewell is a journalist at CynicalTimes.org, covering the WWE SmackDown Men’s Division. With two years of experience, he reports on headline matches, major rivalries, and superstar developments from WWE’s blue brand. Kevin brings sharp analysis, accurate updates, and a deep passion for storytelling to his coverage. His work highlights the key figures, championship pursuits, and weekly action that define the SmackDown men’s roster. From rising talents to veteran icons, Kevin delivers content that keeps fans informed and engaged with every twist in the ring.
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