Former WWE Champion Kevin Owens Undergoes Successful Neck Surgery

Kevin Owens, the WWE Universal Champion, underwent successful neck surgery on July 18 to address a serious neck injury that forced him to miss WrestleMania 41 and likely WrestleMania 42 as well. Owens revealed that the injury occurred during a routine match moment and that he had been managing spinal cord symptoms such as neck pain, numbness, and difficulty with leg movement prior to the surgery. Doctors initially delayed the operation to allow his spinal cord to heal as much as possible, with the procedure's extent dependent on his condition at the time of surgery. Recovery from such neck surgery is expected to take at least a year, though Owens' return remains uncertain and will depend on how well he heals and his comfort level. Owens described the injury and recovery process as frustrating but expressed hope to move forward after surgery. WWE sources acknowledge the long-term nature of the recovery, and fans are hopeful for Owens' eventual comeback.