During the most recent episode of Friday Night SmackDown, a Kevin Owens WWE SmackDown tease fueled rumors about a possible return, despite his ongoing recovery from a neck injury. The incident took place as tensions ran high on the show, and a dramatic sequence involving The Miz and Randy Orton brought Owens’ name back into the spotlight.
The Miz and Randy Orton Open SmackDown With Tension
The latest SmackDown began with The Miz aggressively confronting the commentators, voicing his frustrations and laying claim to being the leader of the locker room. Tensions escalated quickly when Randy Orton made a surprise appearance. The Miz, attempting to create an alliance, suggested that he and Orton jointly embody the role of locker room leaders. In a bold move, The Miz proposed forming a tag team labeled “Miz-KO”—a clear nod to the former pairing of Randy Orton and Kevin Owens, known as “R-KO.” The segment came to an abrupt end when Miz was met with a sudden RKO from Orton.
History Between Randy Orton and Kevin Owens
Randy Orton and Kevin Owens have a long history as tag team partners on WWE SmackDown, working together before Owens adopted a villainous persona later in 2024. Their shared storyline was expected to continue at last year’s WrestleMania, but plans were derailed when Owens suffered his injury. The reference to “Miz-KO” not only served as a comedic twist but also reignited conversation about Owens’ potential comeback and his ties with Orton.
Owens’ Injury and Fan Reactions
Despite this storyline tease, Kevin Owens remains sidelined, and wrestling insiders do not expect his in-ring return in the immediate future. Fans, however, remain eager for updates, hoping that Owens recovers swiftly and makes his much-anticipated return to Friday Night SmackDown. The tease has amplified hopes and speculation, even though official news about his return has not surfaced yet.
What the Tease Means for SmackDown’s Future
This renewed spotlight on Kevin Owens reflects the intense atmosphere in the WWE locker room and the potential for future rivalries. The interaction between The Miz and Randy Orton, along with the mention of Owens, may set the stage for fresh alliances or betrayals in the coming months, keeping fans invested in ongoing SmackDown storylines.
RKO OUTTA NOWHERE!!!! 🙌@RandyOrton pic.twitter.com/sUgi2pyuDE
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
