Kevin Owens criticizes Matt Cardona during a recent appearance on Cody Rhodes’ podcast, spotlighting the tension between Cardona’s self-proclaimed independence and his expressed desire to return to WWE. Owens, currently sidelined from WWE TV due to a neck injury, spoke openly about his views, emphasizing that he holds no personal grudge against Cardona but is troubled by the contradiction in his public statements regarding independent wrestling and WWE aspirations.
Speaking on the
“What Do You Wanna Talk About?”
podcast, Owens described his relationship with Matt Cardona and specified his concerns. He pointed out that although Cardona has embraced the independent circuit and even refers to himself as the “King of the Indies,” he frequently mentions wanting to be back in WWE. This apparent contradiction did not sit well with Owens, who highlighted the subject on the podcast in frank terms.
“I love Matt [Cardona]. The only thing I’ll say is, for a guy who loves to be on indies so much, he sure fu**ing talks a lot about how much he wants to be back in WWE. Can’t call yourself King of the Indies, and you are going out there telling people, ‘I don’t know why WWE hasn’t signed me; I don’t get it. If I were them, I definitely would have signed me.”
—Kevin Owens, WWE Superstar
Owens Discusses Hiatus and Ongoing Health Concerns
While on the podcast, Owens also discussed the health issues that have kept him away from WWE for the past three months. The Canadian star opened up about the emotional impact of his neck injury, revealing that his spinal surgery was postponed to give his spinal cord more time to heal. According to Owens, this delay is essential as it could dictate how invasive the eventual operation needs to be.
He shared that he is aiming for a surgery date in mid-July but noted that the procedure’s nature will depend on how the spinal cord is healing at that time. Owens admitted that, despite feeling fine initially, sudden symptoms have emerged in recent weeks, intensifying the uncertainty and emotional stress surrounding his recovery. This challenging period has left his future in WWE somewhat uncertain, further fueling fan speculation about his eventual return to the ring.
Current Landscape in WWE and Related Headlines
Kevin Owens’ remarks about Matt Cardona come at a time of considerable activity and shifting narratives in the wrestling world. Stories of significant comebacks, surprising tag team reunions, and evolving character developments are dominating headlines. For instance, a missing WWE star recently made a long-awaited return on Raw after a two-month absence, reinvigorating fan discussions about ongoing storylines and future matchups.
This period also sees the wrestling community embroiled in debates over dream matches and potential upsets, such as the unresolved conclusion of Goldberg vs. Gunther and speculation about how backstage dynamics could affect the outcome of matches, like the bout between Karrion Kross and Sami Zayn. Veteran voices in wrestling are weighing in on these rivalries, adding to the charged atmosphere.
Elsewhere, personalities including Paul Heyman—whose new nickname marks a shift away from his “Wiseman” persona—and John Cena, who has revealed details about his post-retirement WWE plans, continue to shape the broader narrative around WWE and its shifting roster.
What Owens’ Comments Mean for the Wrestling Community
The tension highlighted by Kevin Owens—regarding self-branding among professional wrestlers and genuine career ambitions—underscores larger questions about authenticity within the business. His pointed criticism of Matt Cardona touches on broader debates about loyalty, ambition, and the lines between independent circuits and major promotions like WWE.
As Owens navigates his recovery and Cardona continues to make headlines with both his independent appearances and occasional WWE references, fans and industry observers will be watching closely to see how their narratives unfold. The discussion sparked by Owens’ comments adds new complexity to ongoing conversations about wrestling’s evolving culture, with implications for both established veterans and the next generation of superstars.
