Kevin Owens not expected to make his WWE return in 2025 and could miss WrestleMania 42
As seen during the April 4th 2025 edition of WWE Smackdown, it was revealed that Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens for WWE WrestleMania 41 has been canceled due to Owens needing neck surgery. In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com stated the following about how long Owens could be out of action…
“In most cases, this type of surgery leads to the person being out 12 to 15 months although there are other forms of neck surgery that can be done. Tommaso Ciampa several years back had a shorter recovery time. Owens put the timetable as six to eight months, or maybe a year.”
Meltzer also noted that Owens’ surgery was believed to have taken place on April 7th. However, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com wrote the following via Twitter/X…
“Contrary to other reports, @FightfulSelect can confirm that Kevin Owens has not yet underwent neck surgery. WWE sources we’ve spoken to don’t expect him back in 2025, and admitted next year’s WrestleMania may be tough to make as well. It’s worth noting this is not an official timetable. Just what people in the company are assuming based on the initial word that he was to have neck surgery.”
It's worth noting this is not an official timetable. Just what people in the company are assuming based on the initial word that he was to have neck surgery.
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) April 11, 2025