Kevin Owens is done trying to tough it out—his neck injury is far worse than fans originally thought, and surgery is now unavoidable.
Speaking on What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes, Owens revealed that months of trying to push through the pain only made things worse, and doctors have now confirmed the issue is spinal cord damage.
“It sucks, but it is what it is. For months, I thought I could tough it out. The pain would come and go, some days were better, some worse. But the last week? Everything caught up with me. The numbness, the weakness… it all hit at once. That’s when I knew — it’s not getting better on its own.”
Owens admitted that the physical pain has been draining, but the mental toll of not being able to perform or even feel like himself has been just as brutal.
“I can’t wait to get the surgery. Not just to get back in the ring, but to not be in pain. It’s hard waking up every day and feeling like your body’s failing you. I’ve never been good at sitting still, but this time I have no choice.”
The Prizefighter hasn’t shared a timeline for his return and made it clear that his health—not rushing back to the ring—is the top priority. Earlier this month, Owens confirmed that Randy Orton had already stepped in to help, connecting him with the surgeon who saved Orton’s own career. Owens now has four medical specialists advising him, which he credits as a huge relief during such a stressful time.
While fans hold out hope that Owens will eventually make a comeback, nothing is guaranteed. Right now, the only certainty is that Owens is facing a long road to recovery—and the future of his in-ring career remains uncertain.
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