Kevin Owens Teased for WWE Return After Long Hiatus

Kevin Owens' return to WWE has been teased by Cody Rhodes, the Undisputed WWE Champion, during a recent SmackDown taping. The Prize Fighter has been absent from WWE programming for over a year due to a severe neck injury.

What happened?

Cody Rhodes mentioned Kevin Owens' name in an in-ring segment, stating that Owens would have handled a situation differently than Sami Zayn. Rhodes said Owens would have "stabbed me in the front, not the back" and noted that Owens is a former WWE Champion.

Why it matters for Kevin Owens

The mention of Owens' name has added fuel to speculation about his potential return to WWE. Earlier this month, photos of Owens surfaced online, showing him looking noticeably slimmer, suggesting he may be nearing a return to the ring.

What comes next?

Owens had been scheduled to wrestle Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41 but was forced to pull out due to his neck injury, which required surgery in July 2025. He has since spoken publicly about the injury and surgery, stating that the procedure was successful but there was no guarantee that the bones would fuse. Owens said his doctor told him that the outcome depended on how his body healed. The 42-year-old wrestler expressed hope that he would be able to return to wrestling within the next year. As of June 26, the WWE community is eagerly awaiting news of Owens' potential return. Cody Rhodes' comments have only added to the speculation, leaving fans wondering when The Prize Fighter will make his highly anticipated comeback. Owens' return would be a significant development in the WWE landscape, potentially setting up new rivalries and storylines. The WWE Championship is currently held by Cody Rhodes, who has been embroiled in a feud with Sami Zayn. Owens' history with both men could lead to interesting matchups and conflicts in the future. For now, fans will have to wait and see when Kevin Owens will make his return to the WWE ring.