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.
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.
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.
Another former AEW star is heading back to WWE, and this time, it’s none other than Miro. The man formerly known as Rusev was reportedly spotted at WWE headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, with PWInsider reporting that he has signed a new deal with the company and is finalizing the details of his return.
Miro’s wife, CJ Perry (formerly known as Lana), was not seen at WWE HQ, leaving questions about her potential involvement in his return.
This marks the end of Miro’s five-year absence from WWE. After debuting in the company’s developmental system in 2010, he made a name for himself as Rusev alongside Perry, dominating as a powerhouse and winning the United States Championship three times. He had memorable rivalries with John Cena, AJ Styles, and other top names but struggled to break into WWE’s main event scene consistently.
Following his release in 2020 as part of WWE’s COVID-19 budget cuts, Miro made the jump to AEW, where he initially thrived as TNT Champion. However, after dropping the title to Sammy Guevara in late 2021, his in-ring appearances became sporadic, and he wrestled only 13 matches before requesting his release in 2024. He was officially let go this past February, opening the door for his WWE comeback.
Miro’s return is part of a growing trend in 2025, with multiple former AEW talents making the switch to WWE. Penta and NXT North American Champion Ricky Saints have already debuted, while Rey Fenix is set to appear for the first time this Friday. Meanwhile, Malakai Black is also rumored to be on his way back to WWE in the near future.
With Miro rejoining WWE, the big question now is how he will be reintroduced—and whether this will be the long-awaited push that eluded him during his first run.
WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler recently provided an update on his health, discussing his ongoing recovery from a 2023 stroke and revealing details about his recent knee surgeries. The legendary commentator and former in-ring competitor spoke with Sportskeeda’sBill Apter, sharing both the challenges he’s facing and his determination to keep moving forward.
Lawler’s Knee Surgery & Future Plans
At 74 years old, Lawler remains active but admitted that his knees have been giving him trouble. He recently underwent knee replacement surgery on his right knee, with another procedure expected for his left knee in the future.
“I feel great. I feel good except my knees are a little bit under the weather. I had my right knee replaced about six or seven months ago, and they said that takes about a year to get back to normal. My left knee needs to be replaced, too, but I’m going to wait a while on that one.”
Despite these setbacks, Lawler remains in good spirits and continues to make public appearances when possible.
Stroke Recovery: A Daily Battle
Lawler also reflected on the lingering effects of his 2023 stroke, admitting that while he has recovered enough to resume some activities, the impact is something he deals with every day.
“That’s [stroke] something that’s here constantly every day. I haven’t gotten over [it] because the effects of the stroke are always there. My whole right side of my body is damaged, and I can’t write real good, I can’t draw, but I can still sign autographs. Other than that, I feel fine.”
Fans will recall that Lawler was hospitalized following the stroke but made an inspiring recovery. While his days of wrestling and regular commentary are behind him, “The King” still finds ways to connect with the WWE Universe.
Lawler’s WWE Status & Recent Appearances
After decades as one of WWE’s most recognizable voices, Lawler’s long-standing contract with the company was not renewed in 2024. However, WWE still acknowledges his legacy, and he was seen on-camera during the February 7, 2025 edition of SmackDown, where he was shown in the crowd and received a warm ovation from the Memphis audience.
Although his full-time days in WWE may be over, Lawler remains a beloved figure in wrestling history. His resilience through health struggles is yet another testament to why he is, and always will be, The King.
The WWE roster just got even more exciting, as Rey Fenix is officially set to debut on SmackDown next week. The announcement was made during WWE SmackDown in London, England, confirming that the high-flying luchador will appear on the blue brand when WWE returns to the United States ahead of WrestleMania 41.
Rey Fenix Keeps His Name in WWE
After weeks of video teases and reports of his WWE signing, fans were eager to see what name Fenix would use in his new home. Unlike his brother and longtime tag partner Penta—formerly Pentagon Jr., whose name was shortened upon joining WWE Raw—Fenix will continue wrestling under the Rey Fenix moniker.
The decision follows a recent trend of WWE tweaking names for incoming talent. Former AEW star Ricky Starks, for example, recently rebranded as Ricky Saints upon joining WWE NXT. However, Fenix keeping his established ring name suggests WWE recognizes his international appeal.
Fenix’s Path to WWE
Fenix’s jump to WWE comes after months of speculation regarding his AEW status. AEW President Tony Khan initially extended Fenix’s contract due to injury time, preventing him from signing with WWE alongside his brother, Penta. However, Khan ultimately reversed his stance and granted Fenix his release in early May, paving the way for his WWE debut.
Reports had circulated that the Lucha Bros were in discussions with WWE before their AEW contracts expired, making Fenix’s arrival in WWE highly anticipated. With his explosive lucha libre style and a resume that includes championship reigns across multiple promotions, Fenix could quickly become a major player on SmackDown.
What’s Next for Rey Fenix?
Now that Fenix is officially WWE-bound, the big question is: How will he be introduced? Will he immediately enter the singles scene, or will WWE reunite the Lucha Bros on-screen? With WrestleMania 41 just around the corner, there’s no better time for Fenix to make an impact.
Fans won’t have to wait long to find out—Rey Fenix makes his WWE debut next Friday on SmackDown!
WWE is set to break new ground with its 2025 Hall of Fame class, introducing a brand-new category of recognition: the induction of individual matches. During WWE SmackDown, the company announced that the legendary WrestleMania 13 bout between Bret “The Hitman” Hart and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin will be the first match honored as an “Immortal Moment.”
A Defining Match in WWE History
The Hart vs. Austin showdown from WrestleMania 13 (1997) is widely regarded as one of the greatest matches in WWE history. Not only did it showcase elite in-ring storytelling, but it also played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of WWE’s most successful era. The match is best remembered for its dramatic double-turn, where the fan-favorite Hart became a villain while the rebellious Austin won over the crowd despite losing the match.
The unforgettable finish saw a bloodied Austin refusing to tap out to Hart’s Sharpshooter, ultimately passing out due to the pain. Hart’s refusal to release the hold cemented his heel turn, while Austin’s resilience solidified his status as WWE’s next breakout star. This match played a crucial role in launching the Attitude Era, with Austin eventually becoming one of the most iconic figures in wrestling history.
Bret Hart & Steve Austin Set to Appear at Hall of Fame
Both Austin and Hart, who have previously been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame for their individual careers (Austin in 2009, Hart in 2006), will be present at the 2025 ceremony to accept this historic honor. With this recognition, Bret Hart also becomes the first-ever three-time inductee, having been previously honored in 2019 as part of The Hart Foundation.
2025 Hall of Fame Class
This year’s WWE Hall of Fame class already boasts an impressive lineup, including:
Paul “Triple H” Levesque
Lex Luger
Michelle McCool
The Natural Disasters (Earthquake & Typhoon)
With WrestleMania season approaching, WWE’s decision to honor WrestleMania 13’s defining match as an “Immortal Moment” is a fitting tribute to the impact Austin and Hart had on shaping the industry. Fans can look forward to their appearance at the ceremony, which promises to be one for the history books.
Stay tuned for more Hall of Fame announcements as WWE continues to build an unforgettable Class of 2025!
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