Independent Wrestling Career
Kevin Steen was born on May 7, 1984, in Quebec, Canada. He began his pro wrestling career in 2000 when he was just 16 years old. For the next 14 years, Steen wrestled across the independent circuit. He made a name for himself in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and Ring of Honor.
By Steen’s side was his tag team partner, El Generico (Sami Zayn). The two of them held tag team championships together across the indies and occasionally feuded with each other.
NXT Career
On August 12, 2014, Kevin Steen signed with WWE. His ring name was consequently changed to Kevin Owens. At NXT TakeOver: R Evolution, Kevin defeated CJ Parker (Juice Robinson) in his debut match and later turned heel against his old friend Sami Zayn.
Two months later at NXT TakeOver: Rival, Kevin defeated Sami for the NXT Championship. He held the title for 143 days before he dropped it to Finn Balor at The Beast in the East in Tokyo, Japan.
Shortly after he lost the title, Kevin made his main roster debut and entered into a feud with John Cena. This storyline helped establish Kevin Owens as a top heel in WWE.
Universal Championship Reign
On August 22, 2016, Kevin defeated Big Cass, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins to win the vacated WWE Universal Championship (with some help from Triple H). Owens then entered an alliance with Chris Jericho and feuded with stars like Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns.
Kevin’s alliance with Jericho came to a tragic end on February 13, 2017, during the pair’s infamous “Festival of Friendship.” Shortly after, Owens lost the Universal Championship to Goldberg at Fastlane on March 5, 2017, bringing Kevin’s title reign to an end at 188 days.
Miscellaneous Feuds
Kevin Owens spent the next few years feuding with various stars across the WWE. He briefly reunited with Sami Zayn, only to betray him yet again. He also feuded with Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods after serving as an honorary member of the New Day and temporary replacement for Big E.
In the Spring of 2021, Kevin feuded with Sami Zayn once again, but with Zayn serving as the heel this time around. The two of them faced each other at WrestleMania 37, where Kevin came away victorious.
During the build-up to Wrestlemania 38, Kevin Owens began mocking WWE legend Stone Cold Steve Austin. This culminated in the two of them facing off in a no-holds-barred match at WrestleMania 38 after Kevin invited Austin to be a guest on a special edition of the K.O. Show. To no one’s surprise, Steve Austin soundly defeated Owens.
Reunion With Sami Zayn
At the 2023 Royal Rumble, Kevin challenged Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. Roman defeated Kevin and then ordered Sami to attack his former best friend and prove his loyalty to the Bloodline. However, Sami refused. This led to an emotional reunion between the two friends, mediated by Cody Rhodes.
Sami and Kevin went on to defeat the Usos for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 39. This victory made Owens the 23rd Grand Slam Champion in WWE history.
