After a lengthy absence from WWE programming, Kevin Owens is expected to undergo neck surgery soon to address the injury that has kept him sidelined for months. According to a report from Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the procedure is anticipated to happen in mid-July if all progresses as planned.
The injury forced Owens out of a scheduled match against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41. He has not appeared on television since revealing the extent of his neck issue on the April 4, 2025, episode of WWE SmackDown. During that broadcast, Owens announced he had been dealing with the problem for the previous four months and that doctors had advised surgery, rendering him inactive indefinitely.
Owens had a physically demanding start to 2025. He concluded a feud with then-champion Cody Rhodes in a ladder match at the Royal Rumble before immediately reigniting his rivalry with Sami Zayn. Their feud culminated in a brutal Unsanctioned Match at Elimination Chamber on March 1, which stands as Owens’ last match before his hiatus.
The report from Meltzer suggests a potential return timeline, noting that the earliest Owens could be back in action would be for SummerSlam 2026, which is considered a best-case scenario.