Kevin Owens Has Reportedly Already Undergone Neck Surgery Following Injury

Kevin Owens’ heartbreaking WrestleMania 41 exit wasn’t just part of the show—it’s real. The WWE star has undergone neck surgery and now faces a brutal road to recovery, with a long stretch on the sidelines that could last over a year.

According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer confirmed “Owens’ surgery was believed to have taken place on 4/7.” Meltzer added, “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 himself seems hopeful that his recovery may be quicker. Meltzer reported that “Owens put the timetable as six to eight months, or maybe a year,” depending on how well his rehab goes.

The update follows Owens’ emotional promo on the April 4 episode of SmackDown, where he told fans he’d miss WrestleMania 41 due to the injury. “I waited my whole life for this, and now I don’t know when I’ll be back,” he said. At the time, WWE insiders described the situation as “awful,” with early reports pointing toward potential neck fusion surgery.

Typically, fusion surgery recovery is no joke:

• 0–6 weeks: Total rest, pain management, and no in-ring activity
• 6 weeks–3 months: Physical therapy and light workouts—no bumps
• 3–6 months: Slow reintroduction to training and light bump-taking
• 6–12+ months: Return possible but monitored closely

The neck is one of the most dangerous areas to mess with in pro wrestling, and any recovery timeline can shift quickly. WWE won’t clear anyone until they’re 100% safe to perform again.

Legends like Stone Cold Steve Austin, Edge, and Kurt Angle have all walked this path. While some made comebacks, others were never quite the same. Owens’ fans are now left hoping he’ll land on the right side of that history.

UPDATE: Dave Meltzer’s report about Kevin Owens was proven to not be accurate.