Kevin Owens wasn’t sitting around waiting while his WWE future hung by a thread. With no guarantee that neck surgery would allow him to wrestle again, Owens hired an acting agent and started exploring opportunities outside the ring.
During an appearance on the Toronto Sun’s No Holds Barred, Owens admitted that he was forced to consider what his life would look like if doctors never cleared him to compete again. Staying involved in professional wrestling remained his top priority, but he knew he needed another plan.
“I did have to face what I would do if I couldn’t get back in the ring. Obviously, staying in wrestling is the most important thing for me because I really can’t imagine myself doing anything else.”
Owens believes he has plenty to offer WWE behind the scenes. He had already taken an interest in learning other parts of the business long before his neck injury threatened to end his career.
“I think I have a lot to offer behind the scenes. Well before my surgery or this injury, I always tried to get involved and learn other sides of what we do and the behind-the-scenes stuff. I always had an interest in it.”
He even spoke with Triple H about knowing when it was time to leave full-time competition behind and transition into a backstage position.
“There was that part of me that thought, ‘Maybe it’ll be time to transition to that.’ I’ve spoken to Triple H about how he knew that he was ready to transition to an almost full-time behind-the-scenes role as opposed to being in the ring. This was well before my surgery.”
Owens still believes he has several strong years left as a wrestler, but the neck injury forced him to recognize that his time in the ring won’t last forever.
“We can’t kid ourselves either. We’re not getting younger. There’s only one way this is going. While I do feel like I still have several good years left in me, you have to be conscious of that.”
That’s when Owens made a real move toward acting. As his medical situation remained uncertain, he hired an agent and began looking for gigs—including work in his native Quebec.
“When things looked like they might not go the way I wished and I might not be able to get back in the ring, I started exploring other avenues that I thought I could have an interest in. I got an agent for some acting gigs, maybe. I did some in Quebec back home.”
Acting wasn’t the only possibility Owens considered. The longtime animal lover also thought about buying land and using it to rescue animals once his wrestling career ended.
“I love animals, and rescuing animals would be something I’d love to do when I’m able to step away from the ring. Trying to have land, rescue some animals and give them a place to live—stuff like that.”
Owens has now returned to WWE, meaning his full-time move into acting will have to wait. For the moment, the agent and retirement plans are taking a back seat to his in-ring comeback.
“I guess it’s going to have to wait because I’m back for now.”
Owens may not be ready to trade WWE for Hollywood just yet, but hiring an acting agent shows he was taking the possibility seriously when his wrestling career appeared to be slipping away.
What kind of acting role do you think would fit Kevin Owens best? Share your thoughts and feedback in the comments.
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