Kevin Owens‘ surprising reunion with AEW star Matthew Jackson has captured the attention of wrestling fans, after the longtime rivals crossed paths unexpectedly. The heartfelt moment, which took place during a family vacation last March, has generated significant reactions online due to their roles in competitive promotions.
A Chance Meeting Between Wrestling Rivals
Matthew Jackson, known as one-half of the Young Bucks and an Executive Vice President at AEW, rarely breaks character, especially since his recent turn as a heel. Jackson recently opened up during a livestream with his wife on his YouTube channel, detailing how he encountered Kevin Owens, also known as Kevin Steen, after several years apart.
During the vacation, their meeting was purely by chance. Jackson immediately recognized Owens, who was with his children, and decided to approach him. The reunion turned out to be warmer than anyone might expect between stars from competing wrestling organizations.
“Yeah, he looks very familiar. I go, ‘Oh my Gosh. Is that Kevin? It’s Kevin Steen, Kevin Owens, as you may know him.’ I sneak up to him and he’s taking pictures with his kids and stuff. ‘Hey Kev, what’s up man.’ He turns around and looks at me. His eyes are so big, he doesn’t even know how to react. He goes, ‘Oh my God.’ He grabs me and hugs me, the biggest bear hug ever. I don’t think he let go for ten seconds. ‘What are the chances!’ We’re just talking, getting caught up, because it had been a minute. It was so cool because literally the rest of the vacation, we kind of had our vacation together. It was last March.” —Matthew Jackson, Executive Vice President and wrestler
The story moved fans of both AEW and WWE, as Jackson described how the rest of their vacation was spent together, making up for lost time after years in separate worlds. The unexpected embrace, full of emotion, demonstrated the personal friendships that can exist behind professional rivalries.
Recent News on Kevin Owens’ Health and Wrestling Hiatus
While the encounter with Matthew Jackson was uplifting, Kevin Owens has recently faced setbacks in his wrestling career. Just before WrestleMania 41, Owens revealed he would step away from competition due to a neck injury, ruling him out of a highly anticipated bout against Randy Orton.
According to recent updates provided by Wrestlevotes, Owens has still not undergone surgery for his injury, and his exact return date remains uncertain.
“Kevin Owens has not had any procedure to this date, so as far as recovery and return, we’re months and months away from that, so, we’ll see.” —Wrestlevotes
Supporters continue to express hope that Owens will make a healthy return to the ring, with his absence leaving a noticeable gap on WWE programming. His situation is being closely monitored by fans and industry insiders alike.
Why the Reunion Resonated With Fans
This reunion between Kevin Owens and Matthew Jackson, especially after years apart and across rival promotions, highlights the deep connections within the wrestling community. Their genuine friendship, even after years of professional competition, has inspired both fans and colleagues, reminding everyone of the human side beneath the show‘s intensity.
As the wrestling world awaits further updates on Owens’ recovery, many will remember this story as a testament to the bonds that endure within the sport, regardless of brand lines or ongoing rivalries. What comes next for Kevin Owens remains uncertain, but the impact of this reunion is already being felt throughout the industry.
