Kevin Owens has provided a hopeful update regarding his recovery from a serious neck injury that has sidelined him since early this year. The professional wrestler, who has missed key WWE events including WrestleMania 41, revealed details about his surgery and his intentions to return to the ring in the near future.
Owens underwent neck fusion surgery in July after months of postponement to allow his spinal cord to heal naturally. The procedure was a critical step in his treatment, and now, Owens is cautiously optimistic about resuming his wrestling career next year.
Details of Owens’s Surgery and Recovery Progress
At a recent public appearance as the Grand Marshal for NASCAR’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 race in Daytona, Owens spoke openly about the challenges surrounding his surgery. The neck fusion addressed only one level of his spine, a best-case scenario compared to what could have been more extensive damage.
Despite the successful surgery, Owens acknowledged the uncertainty inherent in the healing process, noting that the outcome depends entirely on how his body responds as the bones fuse together. He’s hopeful for a full recovery but remains cautious about the timeline.
“I did get a neck fusion. It was very stressful going into it because we’re not really sure how severe the fusion was gonna be, and how many levels, and all that stuff. Thankfully, it ended up being only one level, which was the best-case scenario. Surgery was successful, and my doctor says we have to see how the bones fuse, and there’s no guarantee that it’s gonna work. It’s how my body heals. Some guys were successful. Fingers crossed, I get to come back to wrestling in the next year,” he said.
Owens was originally scheduled to face Randy Orton at this year’s Showcase of The Immortals, but the injury forced him to withdraw from that event and other major WWE appearances. His recovery will keep him off WWE programming for the remainder of 2025, with fans eagerly awaiting his return.
Jake Hager Announces Retirement from Wrestling to Focus on Family
In related WWE news, Jake Hager, a former World Heavyweight Champion, has formally announced his retirement from full-time professional wrestling at age 43. Hager recently confirmed on the INSIGHT show with Chris Van Vliet his decision to shift priorities toward spending more time with his children and stepping away from the demanding travel schedule wrestling requires.
“Yeah, yeah, for sure [on if he’s done with wrestling]. Feel good about it. Excited to move on. It’s been a big part of my life, but I’ve also sacrificed a lot to have this time away from my kids—so much time on the road. So it’s really important for me to be a dad right now, [to] be home,” he said. [H/T: CVV]
Hager has also stated he will not be returning to WWE, especially after parting ways with AEW on unfavorable terms, signaling a clear move away from competitive wrestling.
Nikki Bella Addresses Rumors Amid Personal Life Changes and Upcoming Rivalry
Meanwhile, Nikki Bella is confronting speculation related to her personal life following a recent divorce from Artem Chigvintsev. Despite rumors about her dating status, Bella has firmly denied claims that she has reached out romantically to BJ Ray, star of LFG, who alleged she had messaged him directly.
Currently, Bella is focused on a high-profile rivalry with Becky Lynch, Women’s Intercontinental Champion, on Monday Night RAW. Their latest promo exchanges culminated in an official match being scheduled for the upcoming Clash in Paris event on August 31, adding tension and excitement to WWE’s women’s division.
Significance and What to Expect Next in WWE
Kevin Owens’s update offers cautious optimism for his WWE return, an announcement welcome to fans following his prolonged absence due to a potentially career-ending injury. If his neck heals as expected, Owens could make a surprising comeback, possibly as soon as the WWE Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia next year.
In the meantime, the wrestling industry is seeing major transitions with retirements like Jake Hager’s and active storylines involving wrestlers such as Nikki Bella. These shifts indicate both challenges and new opportunities within WWE‘s landscape, as established performers adjust their careers and newer rivalries develop.
