Owens is hardly a newbie. He looks like a star because he is. Just because someone isn't wrestling in WWE doesn't mean they are anewbie.
Also as much as I have hated on Cena his work this year has been great.
Owens absolutely held his own, but if Cena said 'yeah, nope' then it'd mean nothing. For all his flaws, Cena's not even slightly selfish in losing. Punk, Bryan, Owens, he put them all over like a boss.