Positive update on Kevin Owens amid prolonged WWE hiatus due to injury - Report

Kevin Owen pulled out of WrestleMania 41 due to a neck injury.

‘The Prizefighter’ Kevin Owens has been absent from WWE programming since April 2025. On the Road to WrestleMania 41, during the April 4 edition of SmackDown, it was revealed that Kevin Owens was dealing with a neck injury that required surgery.

Owens was forced to withdraw from his scheduled match at the ‘Grandest Stage.’ The Prizefighter was set to face Randy Orton at the Mania PLE, with the two locked in an intense rivalry.

According to earlier reports, Owens has since undergone neck fusion surgery in July 2025 to address the injury that kept him out of action. The procedure represented a significant step in the former Universal Champion’s recovery from his spinal cord issues.

Since undergoing surgery, Owens has mostly remained behind the scenes, making only occasional WWE appearances as he focuses on his recovery. A new report from Bodyslam has now provided an update on Owens and his potential return timeline.

Kevin Ownes could return in late 2026

According to the report, Kevin Owens is set for a comprehensive medical check-up this summer to evaluate how well his recovery is going. This examination will be pivotal for his in-ring career, with WWE reportedly optimistic that he could make a return to the ring in late 2026.

While neck fusion surgery generally requires a recovery period of six to twelve months, the rigorous physical demands of pro wrestling often mean that stars need additional time before resuming in-ring action.

Owens’ return is sure to boost the SmackDown roster, which, despite contributions from NXT talent, still lacks established stars to lead feuds and carry storylines, particularly in the World Title scene.

Kevin’s last in-ring appearance was an Unsanctioned match against Sami Zayn at the 2025 Elimination Chamber PLE, where Randy Orton made his return to resume the feud between the two, leading to the Mania clash, which was cancelled due to Owens’ injury.

In November 2025, Owens also shared a short video where he was seen back in training at the WWE Performance Center.

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