Kevin Owens is nearing an important milestone in his recovery, close to the one-year mark since undergoing neck fusion surgery in July 2025. This follows an injury revealed during the Road to WrestleMania event last year, which forced Owens to miss WrestleMania 2025. The former Universal Champion has stayed mostly out of the spotlight, focusing on rehabilitation despite a few limited WWE appearances.
Reports to Bodyslam reveal Owens is set for a formal medical re-evaluation this summer to gauge how well his recovery is progressing. This assessment will heavily influence whether WWE allows Owens to return to in-ring competition, with hopes centered on a possible comeback sometime in late 2026. While typical recovery from neck fusion surgery ranges from six months to a year, the rigorous physical demands of wrestling suggest a longer timeframe may be necessary.
Challenges of a Year Away From Wrestling Action
The wrestling community has deeply felt Owens’ absence, especially as WrestleMania 42 approaches in Las Vegas. Prior to his injury, Owens was a prominent figure on Friday Night SmackDown, engaging in high-profile storylines against competitors such as Roman Reigns and The Bloodline. His final televised bout took place in early 2025, shortly before his neck condition worsened.
Owens has intermittently updated fans during his recovery, expressing gratitude for their support and reflecting on the demanding nature of his rehabilitation.
The recovery has been slow, but I’m doing everything I can to get back to what I love,
Owens shared during a WWE digital exclusive appearance. Internally, WWE is crafting tentative plans for his eventual return, but these remain conditional on Owens passing his upcoming health check.
The wrestling world remains hopeful for Owens’ successful comeback and wishes him continued progress toward resuming competition.
