Kevin Owens recently provided a personal reason for declining a distinct storyline with Damian Priest, a prominent figure on WWE RAW. Owens is currently inactive due to a neck injury, with his last match occurring at Elimination Chamber in March.
Appearing on Cody Rhodes’ What Do You Wanna Talk About? podcast, Owens explained his reluctance to portray Damian Priest as a friend on screen.
Picture what Damian Priest is, and I love him. Great guy. But what he is, just him and me, it just doesn’t work. No.
The former Universal Champion also discussed the severe neck injury that has kept him out of competition since before WrestleMania. Owens is scheduled to undergo neck surgery in mid-July. Doctors are intentionally waiting to allow his spinal cord to heal as much as possible before the procedure. The extent of the surgery, which Owens hopes will be a normal neck fusion, depends on the condition of his spinal cord at the time of the operation.
Owens stated that his condition recently worsened significantly. In the week leading up to the podcast appearance, he experienced a sudden onset of symptoms, including neck pain, issues down his arms, and his legs not responding properly. He described the experience as “pretty f–king brutal” and expressed his anticipation for the surgery to find relief.
Owens has found the entire situation frustrating. He announced on the April 4 edition of SmackDown that he would need neck surgery, forcing him to miss WrestleMania. The injury is considered career-threatening.
Despite the injury shortening his year, Owens still considers 2025 successful. His last match before the hiatus was against Sami Zayn at Elimination Chamber. The injury forced him out of a planned match against Randy Orton at WrestleMania. Owens expressed pride in his work during the first four months of the year, highlighting his matches and promos. He also noted a moment he enjoyed, “talking sh*t to Matthew McConaughey” when the actor was ringside for a SmackDown show in Texas. Owens stated disappointment in missing the opportunity for one last match against John Cena before Cena’s likely retirement.
Public confusion has surrounded Owens’ status, and his feuds were notable prior to the injury. Despite being sidelined with an injury expected to keep him out for up to a year, WWE advertised Owens for an appearance on the June 13 edition of SmackDown. In late May, Owens clarified on social media that he had not yet undergone surgery, refuting earlier reports.
Before his injury, Owens’ 2025 was marked by his ongoing rivalry with The Bloodline. He started the year teaming with LA Knight to face Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga, which led to a street fight at Backlash France, where The Bloodline emerged victorious. Following Backlash, Owens entered the King of the Ring tournament, advancing to the semi-finals before GUNTHER eliminated him. Reports also indicated Owens was dealing with a knee injury after the tournament.