WWE Reportedly Hopeful Kevin Owens Will Return This Year

Kevin Owens is set for a checkup this summer ahead of a potential WWE return.

Back in April last year, Kevin Owens made the heartbreaking announcement that he would have to miss WrestleMania 41 due to a serious neck injury. Owens later underwent successful neck fusion surgery in July, with details surrounding a potential recovery timeline remaining sparse.

That may be about to change, however, as BodySlam are now reporting that Kevin Owens’ condition will be reevaluated this summer, with one source indicating WWE are hopeful of an in-ring return later this year.

“Sources indicate Kevin Owens is set to undergo re-evaluation this Summer to see how things are coming along recovery wise. Another source indicates that WWE is hopeful that Owens will be able to return at some point in 2026.”

-BodySlam

Whilst the typical recovery timeline for a neck fusion can be anywhere between six months to a year, Kevin Owens revealed back in August last year that there were zero guarantees he’d ever be able to wrestle again.

Kevin Owens last competed at Elimination Chamber in 2025, where he defeated long-time friend and rival Sami Zayn in an Unsanctioned match. He was initially set to face Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41 before being ruled medically unable to compete, with Orton instead going on to face then-TNA World Champion Joe Hendry in an open challenge.

As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on Owens’ injury status as soon as we hear more, and we continue to wish him all the best in his recovery.