Kevin Owens has been sidelined since mid-2023 following neck surgery, but controversy surrounds him as former WWE colleague Matt Riddle accused Owens of leaking sensitive backstage information to wrestling news outlets. This accusation has sparked tension amid Owens’ ongoing recovery and uncertainty about his return to the ring.
Allegations of Backstage Leaks from Matt Riddle
Matt Riddle, who performed in WWE from 2018 until 2023, recently spoke about a backstage incident involving Brock Lesnar at the 2020 Royal Rumble. Riddle revealed that the only person he confided in about the confrontation was Kevin Owens. However, the details about this incident appeared on wrestling dirt sheets just minutes later, which Riddle attributes directly to Owens.
“I went to the locker room and I told Kevin Owens (about the Brock Lesnar confrontation), and then five minutes later, it was on the dirt sheet. So, if you ever wonder where news is going coming from, that guy just loves to spill beans,” Riddle said.
Despite the accusation, Riddle expressed sympathy for Owens’ current condition and hopes for his full recovery.
Latest Update on Kevin Owens’ Neck Injury and Recovery
Kevin Owens underwent neck surgery in mid-July 2023 after a prolonged period of consultations and testing. Wrestling journalist Sean Ross Sapp reported in a January 2024 Q&A that Owens’ return to active competition remains uncertain, with no confirmed timeline for resuming in-ring training. Fans anticipate that Owens will only come back when fully healed, potentially placing his comeback beyond WrestleMania scheduled for early 2025 in Saudi Arabia.
The cautious approach to Owens’ rehab follows other high-profile neck injury retirements in WWE, including Big E’s recent retirement, raising concerns about the severity of Owens’ situation.
Implications for Owens’ Future and WWE Storylines
The accusations about Kevin Owens leaking backstage news add an element of mistrust within WWE’s locker room environment, complicating relationships amid his injury recovery. Owens’ prolonged absence also fuels speculation about changes in major WWE events like WrestleMania and the impact on storylines that centered around him before his injury. As Owens focuses on healing, the wrestling community watches closely to see when and how he will return both physically and professionally.
