Kevin Owens' Return Teased During WWE SmackDown Taping

Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes has hinted at the possible return of Kevin Owens, who has been absent for over a year. The Prize Fighter’s absence has left fans speculating about when he might return.

The June 26 episode of Friday Night Smackdown is being recorded at the O2 Arena in London, England. During an engaging in-ring segment, Cody Rhodes, known as The American Nightmare, taunted Sami Zayn by bringing up Owens’ name.

Rhodes expressed his disbelief at Sami Zayn’s friendship with Kevin Owens, suggesting that, unlike The Underdog from the Underground, Owens would have confronted him directly. Rhodes also noted that Owens, unlike Zayn, has previously held the WWE Championship.

“What do you expect of me just to keel over and hand you the WWE Championship? That’s not how this works! You know something that I can’t wrap my head around? The fact that you are best friends with Kevin Owens. Oh no! Let’s go there, right? That you’re best friends with Kevin Owens because there’s two main differences I see with you and him. One, Kevin Owens would have come out here, said what he meant, and stabbed me in the front, not the back. And the other, at least Kevin Owens has been WWE Champion,” Rhodes said.

Earlier this month, several photos of Owens at IGN Live 2026 in Los Angeles emerged online, showing a noticeably slimmer appearance. This has fueled speculation that Owens might soon return to WWE programming. Cody Rhodes’ mention of Owens amid his rivalry with Sami Zayn has intensified rumors of Owens’ potential return to SmackDown.

Kevin Owens Discusses Neck Fusion Surgery During WWE Hiatus

Kevin Owens had been scheduled to face Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41. However, two weeks prior, he announced on SmackDown that he had to withdraw due to a serious neck injury requiring surgery.

At a public event, Scotte Sprinkle from Short Track Scene inquired about Owens’ injury and the neck fusion surgery he underwent in July 2025. Owens shared that the surgery was stressful because of uncertainties about its severity and the number of levels involved. Fortunately, it required only one level, which was the best-case scenario. While the surgery was successful, Owens was advised that there was no assurance the bones would fuse properly.

“I did get a neck fusion. It was very stressful going into it because we’re not really sure how severe the fusion was gonna be and how many levels and all that stuff. Thankfully, it ended up being only one level, which was the best case scenario. Surgery was successful, and my doctor says we have to see how the bones fuse, and there’s no guarantee that it’s gonna work. It’s how my body heals. Some guys were successful. Fingers crossed, I get to come back to wrestling in the next year,” Owens said.

Fans eagerly await the anticipated return of The Prize Fighter to WWE programming.