Kevin Owens is keeping his chin up — even if it’s his neck that needs fixing.
After delivering a surprising and emotional announcement on WWE SmackDown last week, Kevin Owens confirmed he’ll be stepping away from the ring to undergo neck surgery. The news sparked concern among fans, with some even speculating this could be a career-threatening situation. But if you ask KO himself? He’s not ready to hang up the boots just yet.
Speaking on the My Mom’s Basement podcast, Owens offered a candid and hopeful update on his condition and future in WWE. While acknowledging the seriousness of the injury, “The Prizefighter” made it clear that a return is very much on his mind.
“I know I’ll come back — or at the very least, I really hope I come back. You know, I guess there’s … I never take anything for granted in what we do, so who knows? But it’s pretty likely I’ll come back,” Owens said.
More than just a return, Owens already has his sights set on a dream singles match against none other than Randy Orton. The two briefly clashed at WrestleMania 40 in a triple threat match that also involved Logan Paul, but Owens wants another shot — one-on-one with “The Viper.”
“Maybe we could do it [a match with Orton at WrestleMania] eventually,” he added, suggesting that he’s not done chasing WrestleMania moments.
As for his recovery timeline, the former Universal Champion admitted it’s still early days. He hasn’t spoken to his surgeon yet — that appointment is set for this week — but based on what others have experienced with similar injuries, Owens estimates his absence could last anywhere from six to twelve months.
“Most of the people who have gone through similar things have probably, you know, six months to eight months to a year. So I would assume within that range, but I don’t really know. Like I said, it’s all really new right now.”
Owens’ last match came at Elimination Chamber in February, where he picked up a win over longtime friend (and sometimes rival) Sami Zayn — a fitting high note before taking time off.
While there’s still a long road ahead, Owens’ passion for the business and his desire for that elusive singles match with Orton could be the fuel he needs to power through recovery. For now, fans will have to wait — but if history has taught us anything, it’s that Kevin Owens always finds a way to fight back.
Stay locked in to WrestlingNewsBlog.com for updates on KO’s status and all things WWE.
AEW Dynasty 2025 delivered a stacked night of action, featuring title changes, the emotional implosion of Rated FTR and the return of The Young Bucks. From pre-show chaos to main event drama, here’s your full breakdown of everything that went down.
Zero Hour Pre-Show Highlights
CRU & Nick Wayne def. Top Flight & AR Fox The Patriarchy picked up steam with a hard-fought victory, despite interference attempts from Kip Sabian. AR Fox had the crowd on fire with a sequence of high-octane offense, but Nick Wayne sealed the deal with a brutal Wayne’s World to grab the win for his team.
Anthony Bowens def. Max Caster – Max Caster Best Wrestler Alive Open Challenge Max Casters former The Acclaimed tag team partner Anthony Bowens with “Daddy Ass” Billy Gunn answered the challenge. After swiping Caster’s “Best Wrestler Alive” moniker, Bowens leveled him with a Famouser for the win.
Main Card Results
Will Ospreay def. Kevin Knight – Owen Hart Cup Quarterfinal (Men’s) Ospreay and Knight tore it down in a fast-paced opening bout. Knight gave Ospreay everything he could handle, but a late surge by “The Aerial Assassin” — including a Styles Clash, Os Cutter, and finally the Hidden Blade — punched Ospreay’s ticket to the semis.
The Hurt Syndicate (c) def. Bryan Keith & Big Bill – AEW World Tag Team Titles Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin retained their titles with help from MJF, who made a surprise appearance in the crowd, hits Big Bill with a forearm and led the fans cheering for The Hurt Syndicate. A spear by Lashley on Keith sealed the victory as The Hurt Syndicate continues to dominate the tag division.
Mercedes Moné def. Julia Hart – Owen Hart Cup Quarterfinal (Women’s) Moné survived Julia Hart’s aggressive offense and multiple pinfall attempts. After escaping the Hartless submission, Moné locked in the Statement Maker for the decisive win. Harley Cameron was shown scouting from backstage.
The Death Riders (c) def. Rated FTR – AEW Trios Championship A hard-hitting war ended in heartbreak — not just defeat — for Cope and FTR. After an epic bout featuring tandem submissions and aerial chaos, Wheeler Yuta scored the pinfall with a Busaiku Knee. Post-match, Dax Harwood shockingly turned on Cope, delivering a piledriver and ordering a brutal chair assault. Wheeler initially tried to stop him but eventually joined in. FTR hit a Shatter Machine and Con-Chair-To, leaving Cope stretchered out.
Toni Storm (c) def. Megan Bayne – AEW Women’s World Championship Storm retained in a physically intense contest that saw interference from both Penelope Ford and Luther. After weathering Bayne’s powerhouse offense, Storm countered with a roll-up to escape with her title intact.
Kyle Fletcher def. Mark Briscoe – Owen Hart Cup Quarterfinal (Men’s) Briscoe’s brawling spirit was alive and well, but Fletcher’s resilience and technical edge earned him the win. Despite absorbing a Razor’s Edge and elbow drop, Fletcher powered through and connected with a Brainbuster to advance.
Bandido def. Chris Jericho – ROH World Championship (Title vs. Mask) Bandido is your new Ring of Honor World Champion — but only after the match had to be restarted due to Jericho’s underhanded tactics. After a bat-assisted pinfall, the referee reversed the decision, and Bandido capitalized on the chaos, landing a 21 Plex to score the three-count. Jericho’s mask-snatching plan backfired big time.
Adam Cole def. Daniel Garcia – TNT Championship With ringside banned, this was a straight-up fight. Cole’s knee was targeted early, but he dug deep and landed two Panama Sunrises and The Boom to capture the TNT Title. Post-match, a show of respect between the two.
Kenny Omega (c) def. Speedball Mike Bailey & Ricochet – AEW International Championship In a show-stealing triple threat, Omega outlasted two of wrestling’s most explosive strikers. After a relentless flurry of dives, suplexes, and 450 splashes, Omega hit a One Winged Angel on Ricochet from the middle rope to retain. Post-match, Kazuchika Okada emerged, Continental Title in hand, confronting Omega and teasing a dream title vs. title clash.
Main Event: Jon Moxley (c) def. Swerve Strickland – AEW World Championship
This brutal affair between Moxley and Swerve Strickland lived up to the hype — and chaos. From fighting on the steps to a ladder-assisted meteora through the announce table, both men pulled out all the stops. Just as Swerve seemed to have Mox beat with a top-rope Swerve Stomp, the lights cut out — and The Young Bucks appeared, landing a BTE Trigger on Strickland. Moxley crawled into the cover to retain.
Watch the AEW Dynasty Post-Show Media Scrum below.
Just days after confirming he’s out of WrestleMania 41, Kevin Owens has shed more light on the injury that’s taken him off the road — and it turns out, the damage may not have come from one of his high-risk, headline-grabbing matches.
During an appearance on the My Mom’s Basement podcast ahead of this week’s WWE SmackDown, Owens candidly spoke about his neck issues, revealing that the injury likely happened during a routine match in January, not during his more extreme outings like his ladder match with Cody Rhodes or his Unsanctioned Match with Sami Zayn.
“25 years in, with the stuff I’ve done, I feel like it was bound to happen,” Owens said. “It sucks. The timing sucks, for sure… but I felt great even recently. This wasn’t something constant. It was just something that didn’t feel right the last few months.”
Owens explained that he had undergone a full-body MRI back in December — mostly out of curiosity — and while it revealed wear and tear (including his well-documented knee issues), doctors at the time gave him the green light. But a match in January changed everything.
“There were two things that really jarred my neck,” he recalled. “That’s when the issues started. I knew something was wrong. This week we did another MRI and found out it’s serious.”
So serious, in fact, that WWE’s medical team told Owens he wouldn’t be cleared for WrestleMania. That revelation hit hard.
“I was so shocked I almost stopped listening,” Owens admitted. “I knew something was up, but I didn’t think it was that bad. I thought we’d take care of it after WrestleMania.”
Unfortunately, that’s not how things played out. Owens now faces neck surgery and is staring down an uncertain recovery timeline. He hasn’t yet consulted with a surgeon but believes he could be out anywhere from six months to a year.
Missing Randy Orton at WrestleMania: “That Bugs Me the Most”
Perhaps the most painful part of the timing is that Owens was set to face Randy Orton in a one-on-one match at WrestleMania 41 — a dream bout for KO.
“That’s the part that bugs me the most,” he said. “I know I’ll be back. At least I hope I will. But this year was supposed to be me vs. Randy Orton at WrestleMania. That’s huge for me.”
Owens took some solace in the fact that he shared the ring with Orton last year — albeit in a multi-man match he jokingly noted included “that other annoying guy” (take your guess on that one).
Injury Came from a “Regular Match”
In a fascinating twist, Owens pushed back against fans assuming his injury must have come from a violent spot in one of his more chaotic matches.
“It happened in a regular match,” Owens clarified. “No hardcore things. Nothing. Just two very simple things I’ve done a million times. That’s what’s funny about it. Sometimes it’s just bad luck — and I think in that match, those two things were just this much off.”
He also addressed fan criticism and misconceptions surrounding his in-ring style and recent use of barbed wire, pointing out that just because he didn’t bleed doesn’t mean it wasn’t legit.
“Our entire craft is making people believe something that’s not actually happening — and I’m very good at that,” he said. “Some people will never believe me anyway, and that’s fine.”
What’s Next?
As of now, Owens will undergo surgery soon and meet with specialists to finalize his recovery plan. There’s no concrete timeline for his return, but he remains hopeful and focused on coming back strong.
For now, the KO Show is on pause — but if we’ve learned anything about Kevin Owens over the last 25 years, it’s that this isn’t the end. Just the next chapter.
Stay with Wrestling News Blog for updates on KO’s surgery, recovery timeline, and the fallout from his WrestleMania absence.
Another AEW star is heading to the sidelines, as new reports confirm that Mark Davis sustained a broken foot during his match with Powerhouse Hobbs on the March 26 episode of AEW Dynamite.
The injury, which caused the bout to end abruptly, had remained somewhat of a mystery until Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer provided a key update. Meltzer noted that the Aussie Open powerhouse fractured his foot during the match, which is expected to keep him out of in-ring action for at least a couple of months.
While AEW has yet to issue an official statement, there’s reportedly been backstage talk about keeping Davis visible on TV during his recovery — possibly in a non-wrestling or background role — to maintain his presence and keep momentum going for Aussie Open.
This injury comes at a tough time for Davis, who, alongside Kyle Fletcher, had been gaining traction as part of AEW’s tag team division. With Fletcher recently making solo appearances, it’ll be interesting to see how AEW handles Davis’ absence and whether Fletcher continues to work singles matches in the meantime.
No firm return date has been confirmed, but based on current expectations, fans may not have to wait too long to see Davis back on his feet — and back in the ring.
WrestleMania season just took a major hit. On Friday night’s WWE SmackDown, Kevin Owens delivered a heartbreaking update: he’s undergoing neck surgery and will be sidelined indefinitely — including missing out on a highly anticipated showdown with Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41.
SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis opened the segment, setting a somber tone and reminding fans why WWE always warns against trying this at home. Aldis then brought Owens to the ring so the former Universal Champion could break the news himself.
Owens revealed that he’s been quietly battling a neck injury for the past four months but only recently discovered the full extent of the damage. The diagnosis? Surgery is required — and the timing couldn’t be worse. Owens admitted that missing WrestleMania stings, especially since he was set to face a legend like Randy Orton on the grandest stage of them all.
In an emotional moment, Owens thanked WWE for letting him speak directly to the fans, unsure of when he’ll be able to perform in front of them again. He expressed his gratitude and apologized, visibly emotional as he walked away.
But the moment didn’t end there.
As Owens made his exit, Orton’s music hit. The Viper walked to the ring and locked eyes with Owens on the apron. No words were exchanged — just a silent, mutual moment of respect. With Owens gone, Aldis told Orton the reality of the situation: with Owens out, Orton has no WrestleMania opponent.
Orton’s answer? A thunderous RKO to the General Manager.
While Owens begins his road to recovery, the question now looms large: what’s next for Randy Orton heading into WrestleMania 41? And more importantly, when — or if — we’ll see KO back in the ring.
Stay with Wrestling News Blog for updates on Owens’ recovery.
Pwinsider is reporting that according to multiple WWE sources, the situation is serious, with Owens likely needing surgery — potentially spinal fusion.
AEW star Darby Allin is officially gearing up for one of the most dangerous challenges of his life—climbing Mount Everest. After his plans were postponed last year due to a foot injury, the former TNT Champion is now set to begin his ascent on April 15, according to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
A Risky Undertaking
Climbing Everest is no small feat, especially for someone without extensive mountaineering experience. The journey to the summit typically takes around two months, though unpredictable weather and other challenges can extend the timeframe. With over 340 recorded fatalities on the mountain, Everest remains one of the most treacherous climbs in the world.
One of the most haunting aspects of the mountain is Rainbow Valley, a section near the summit known for the brightly colored clothing of fallen climbers whose bodies remain frozen in place. Another infamous landmark is Green Boots, the body of an unidentified climber who perished in 1996 and has since become a grim marker for those making the climb.
What’s Next for Darby?
Allin has never shied away from extreme challenges, whether inside the ring or in his personal life. He’s previously expressed his desire to push his limits beyond professional wrestling, and this Everest climb is the latest example of that mindset.
As he embarks on this dangerous mission, AEW fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on his progress. If successful, Allin will join a rare group of individuals who have conquered the world’s tallest peak. However, given the risks involved, this journey will undoubtedly test his endurance and determination like never before.
Stay tuned for updates on Darby Allin’s Everest expedition as he takes his daredevil persona to new heights—literally.
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