Kevin Owens says he’s glad he made the decision to re-sign with WWE, as he has experienced highlights he couldn’t even dream of.
In December 2021, Owens signed a three-year contract extension with WWE to ensure that he would remain with the company for the foreseeable future. Owens has been a featured star in WWE since 2015, and he has had a particularly memorable 2022. He faced Steve Austin at WrestleMania 38 and later competed in the Men’s WarGames Match at Survivor Series.
In an interview with WrestleRant, Owens reflected on his decision to re-sign with the company and noted that, at one point before he committed to the decision, he didn’t know if he wanted to keep wrestling because everything was up in the air. He made it clear that he was happy with his decision to stay.
“By Christmastime last year I knew I was sticking around, but before that, I really had no idea,” Owens said. “I didn’t even know at that time if I still wanted to be in the ring. Not because I didn’t enjoy being in the ring anymore, but everything was kind of up in the air. I made the decision to stay and I’m certainly glad I made it because just this year I’ve experienced things I couldn’t have imagined.”
Owens went on to describe how his mindset has changed; whereas he used to wan more and worry about the future, he now focuses on delivering good work that entertains the fans. He also stated that he wants to enjoy everything that he can, as he used to struggle in this regard.
“I’ve been really lucky to be a part of all that. As far as my mindset goes, it’s definitely changed. I used to always want more and want bigger and worry about what’s next, and I really don’t do that anymore. Not that I don’t want more, everybody would like more, but I’m really more worried about doing good stuff and stuff people enjoy, and I’m also worried about…or thinking about enjoying everything I can enjoy. Because as I’ve said in interviews in the past, I missed out on moments I really should have enjoyed because I was always worried about what’s next. I’m not going to do that anymore. I’ve had an incredible career I’m so lucky to have had so many matches, so many moments that people would give anything they could to have the moments I’ve had, and I’ve had a lot of those. So I just want to enjoy everything I can from here on out, for as long as I can, and just make it good.
“So, my mindset’s definitely shifted, but I think this one’s a lot healthier, and it’s probably going to help me be a better performer as well, because when you’re worrying what’s next all the time, you’re not really looking what’s in front of you right then and there, it’s kind of counterproductive. It took me a few years to get that perspective, and it took me talking to guys like Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin when I was going through that, asking for their advice, and having the absolute best of the business…literally, I’ve been so blessed.
The former WWE Universal Champion then highlighted how he has been able to get advice from legends like Austin, Shawn Michaels, and Bret Hart among many others. He again emphasized his gratitude for having these opportunities.
“I’ve had access to Shawn Michaels, Steve Austin, Bret Hart. If I need advice, they’re there, it’s just incredible, you know? I just named those, but there’s so many more. Through the last eight years, just getting to work with anybody from Dusty Rhodes to Triple H, to you know Trish Stratus, like literally the list goes on and on and on, of people that I looked up to, and have had access to over the course of my career for the last eight years. I really don’t know how to put it, except that I’m very thankful and very lucky.”
On the December 30 episode of WWE SmackDown, Owens teamed up with John Cena to defeat Sami Zayn and Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. More information is available here.
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