At WWE Crown Jewel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, what was supposed to be a thrilling match between Kevin Owens and Randy Orton turned into an explosive brawl before the bell even rang. Owens ambushed Orton with a steel chair in a pre-match assault, leading to an intense fight that spilled out of the ring and into the crowd. The chaos reached a peak when Orton delivered a devastating RKO to Raw General Manager Adam Pearce, only for Owens to respond with a massive senton that sent Orton crashing through a table.

If there was ever a chance for reconciliation between the former friends, Crown Jewel completely obliterated it. Owens and Orton had recently formed one of the most unexpected alliances in WWE, held together by their mutual friendship with Cody Rhodes. However, Owens' backstage attacks on both Rhodes and Orton led to the disintegration of this star-studded trio and set the stage for the unforgettable melee at Crown Jewel.

Kevin Owens' history of betraying friends is well-documented, so his actions may not come as a surprise to long-time fans. Known as one of the best villains of his generation, Owens has maintained his relevance in key storylines despite having only one world title win in nearly a decade on the main roster. His recent betrayals of Orton and Rhodes seem driven by his burning ambition to reclaim a world championship.

Adding another layer of intrigue is the speculation surrounding Owens' contract status. His WWE contract is set to expire in early 2025, but there are strong indications that he may have already re-signed with the company. Despite his on-screen hints at potentially leaving WWE and the interest from AEW, Owens appears committed to staying put and continuing his impactful role.

In his WWE career, Owens has not only been a vital figure but has also headlined major events like WrestleMania and even coaxed "Stone Cold" Steve Austin out of retirement. Currently, he's experiencing a resurgence as a top heel, embroiled in fierce rivalries with both Orton and Rhodes. While WWE typically avoids last-minute changes for marquee pay-per-view events, Owens' evolving heel persona and the necessity to build his storylines may have justified the brawl at Crown Jewel.

Looking ahead, Owens is expected to continue on this heated path, with a possible major WWE Championship match against Rhodes on the horizon. Whether this will culminate at Survivor Series or another significant event remains to be seen. WWE has adeptly transitioned Owens back into a heel, using his betrayals of Orton and Rhodes as launching points for a mega push as one of wrestling's most despised villains.

Although a world title win for Owens might seem unlikely with Rhodes positioned as the face of WWE and likely to hold the championship until 2025, what's clear is that Owens is riding high from his heel turn and escalating feud with Orton. A major clash between Owens and Orton seems imminent, which will set the stage for Owens to potentially challenge Rhodes for the WWE Championship.