Ex-WWE world champion gets ‘very soon’ return update after scary neck injury

It has been over a year since WWE fans saw Kevin Owens in a match, who has been on the shelf with a neck injury that required surgery, but he might be on his way back to making a return.

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that Owens is expected to come back “very soon” to WWE. According to Meltzer, Owens has “dropped weight after a lengthy and frustratingly long recovery from neck surgery.”

He did not mention in what capacity the “Prizefighter” will be coming back in. Presumably, he is coming back as an active in-ring competitor. However, he could also come back as an on-screen authority figure, especially after Nick Aldis’ resignation as Friday Night SmackDown’s general manager.

Owens last competed in a match in March 2025 at Elimination Chamber. He was slated to face Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41. However, his neck injury would require surgery and put him on the shelf.

Another former world champion may return to WWE after Kevin Owens’ comeback from injury

In addition to Owens, his original WrestleMania 41 opponent, Orton, is also expected back in the fold “very soon.” Orton once claimed he was “milking” the effects of his WrestleMania 42 match against Cody Rhodes.

However, Meltzer reported that he was injured. Originally, he was going to beat Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship before the injury changed plans.

In turn, Meltzer theorized that the “Viper” could return and cost either Rhodes or current champion CM Punk during their match at SummerSlam on Saturday, Aug. 1.

Fans will just have to wait and see what happens. It’s extremely exciting that Orton and Owens might be back in WWE soon. While they were supposed to face in singles action at WrestleMania 41, they shared the ring one year earlier at the Showcase of the Immortals, both challenging Logan Paul for the United States Championship in a triple threat bout.

The post Ex-WWE world champion gets ‘very soon’ return update after scary neck injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.