Disappointing Update On Kevin Owens Ahead Of WWE Royal Rumble

Kevin Owens has been out of action for almost a year now.

KO has been sidelined since early 2025 after suffering a serious neck and spinal cord injury that required surgery. Due to the severity of the injury, WWE immediately pulled him from in-ring competition, and he has remained off TV ever since.

Owens was originally scheduled to face Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41, but those plans had to be scrapped due to his injury. Instead, The Viper went on to face Joe Henrdy on the Grandest Stage of Them All, while Owens continued his recovery away from the ring.

With the Royal Rumble just days away, many fans have been hopeful that Owens could make a surprise return to action at the show and participate in the men’s Royal Rumble match.

It would serve as the perfect moment for his return, especially given Owens’ history of shocking appearances. But unfortunately, those hopes were recently shut down.

Kevin Owens Unlikely To Return at WWE Royal Rumble

Fightful Select provided an update on Owens ahead of the Royal Rumble, reporting that WWE has not cleared Kevin Owens for competition as of last weekend. Because of this, he is not expected to appear in the men’s Royal Rumble match.

Fightful Select also provided an update for Owens’ former tag team partner, Seth Rollins. The Visionary is also not expected to be a part of the upcoming Riyadh event. Rollins is currently healing from a shoulder injury that he sustained while wrestling Cody Rhodes at Crown Jewel in 2025.

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