Kevin Owens provided an update on his recovery this past weekend, confirming he underwent neck fusion surgery in July. Speaking at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR event, Owens expressed cautious optimism, stating his goal is to return to wrestling within the next year.
The procedure was a single-level fusion, which Owens described as the “best case scenario.” He noted the initial surgery was a success but emphasized that the next phase is critical and uncertain.
“The thing is now we have to see how the bones fuse, and there’s no guarantee that it’s going to work,” Owens explained. “It’s all how my body heals, and we’ll see. Some guys had success, some guys didn’t.”
His return remains without a definite timetable, contingent entirely on his body’s healing process. “Fingers crossed, I get to come back to wrestling in the next year. Really don’t know, though. But my goal is to come back, so hopefully that’s what happens.”
The injury forced Owens out of a planned match against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41. His symptoms, which began after a match in January 2025, worsened over several months to include neck pain and issues with his arms and legs, prompting doctors to pull him from action in April.
Following the reported July surgery, the expectation within WWE was for a lengthy recovery. Sources indicated he could be absent for at least a year, potentially keeping him out through WrestleMania 42 in 2026.