WWE Superstar Kevin Owens recently conducted an interview with the Montreal Canadiens hockey team website while promoting an upcoming WWE event at the Canadiens’ home, the Bell Centre.
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Owens, who is making his Montreal ‘debut’ as a part of the main roster next Friday, talks about his first year with NXT/WWE and how intense it’s been, compares the two rosters, his thoughts on appearing at the Bell Centre for the first time, and much more. You can read a few excerpts below:
Kevin Owens on his first year with WWE so far:
It’s pretty intense indeed. It took me 15 years to get to the WWE and during that time, there were a lot of ups and downs. But since I’ve been here, things have moved so fast that it seems like I’ve made up for lost time. That’s not to say that those years I spent getting here were a waste at all, because I’ve had some incredible experiences, but it does feel like my progression has been faster than others. I’ve met other wrestlers at NXT who had been there for three years, just waiting for their turn, and it all happened pretty fast for me, so I definitely can’t complain. It’s been my dream since I was 11 years old to wrestle for the WWE.
Differences between NXT and WWE Main Roster:
There are obviously differences in how they’re organized and produced, but Triple H worked so hard to ensure that NXT would basically be an identical replica of RAW and Smackdown! so that when the NXT guys reached the next level, they’d be able to hit the ground running with the opportunity. There are more guys at the top, but because of that, I was already very comfortable on my first night of RAW. The buildings are also a little more full compared to NXT, but the feeling is the same.
Anticipating his Montreal debut at the Bell Centre:
I can’t wait. The last time I fought at the Bell Centre, it was in 2001 in a Jacques Rougeau Gala. I have great memories from that experience, but going to the Bell Centre with the WWE is completely different. I went all the time when I was younger with my parents and grandparents. The fact that I’m making my return with my parents in the audience will be very special. They’ve supported me since the beginning. My parents were in Brooklyn for SummerSlam and it was a great night for them. But being at the Bell Centre, at home, will be something special.
Which past WWE Superstar would he most want to face?
It would have to be Shawn Michaels, for sure. He’s the reason I became a wrestler, ever since his fight against Diesel at WrestleMania XI, when I was just 11 years old. At the time, I was actually really small for my age, and Michaels fought Diesel, who was a monster compared to him. After watching his performance, I thought if he can do it, why can’t I? Obviously over the years I’ve gained weight, I’ve grown up and I’m no longer the same type of wrestler that Shawn Michaels was. (laughs)
