45-year-old former champion takes a HUGE shot at WWE after Kevin Owens' injury announcement

Modified Apr 08, 2025 16:14 GMT

Kevin Owens is a former Universal Champion. [Photo from WWE.com]

Kevin Owens recently announced that he wouldn't be able to compete at WWE WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas due to a major real-life injury. Following this announcement, former WWE Superstar Karl Anderson took a massive shot at the Stamford-based company.

The former RAW Tag Team Champion has been out of in-ring action due to a torn rotator cuff and a partially torn labrum. Following surgery in November 2024, he indicated a recovery period of six to nine months. Unfortunately, on February 8, 2025, World Wrestling Entertainment released Karl Anderson and his Good Brothers tag team partner, Doc Gallows.

Speaking on the latest edition of the Talk'n Shop podcast, Karl Anderson fired a shot at WWE, hoping they wouldn't release The Prizefighter while he's injured, referencing his own experience.

"If Kevin [Owens] is really hurt, which I'm not saying he is or isn't, I don't have any idea. I haven't followed. I'm barely involved. I'm just going to say this; I hope, if he's really hurt and he has surgery, I hope he is not released two and a half months after the major surgery. That's all I'm going to say," he said.

The 45-year-old expressed his desire for Kevin Owens to recover fully if the latter's injury was indeed real.

"I hope that doesn't happen to him. I hope that it's a work, and Randy [Orton] attacks him, and they have a match at WrestleMania. If Kevin is really hurt, I just hope two and a half months after his recovery, everything is going well," he added. [H/T: Fightful]

WWE sent a heartwarming message to Kevin Owens after SmackDown

KO was slated to face Randy Orton in a grudge match at The Show of Shows. However, on last week's SmackDown, the former Universal Champion emotionally announced that due to a serious neck injury, he wouldn't be able to wrestle The Viper at The Showcase of The Immortals later this month.

After the April 4, 2025, episode of the Friday night show, WWE India's page on X extended its best wishes to Kevin Owens.

"Get well soon, @FightOwensFight!"

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Since The Prizefighter won't be in action at 'Mania, fans will have to wait and see if Randy Orton will retain his spot on The Grandest Stage of Them All.

About the author

Akash Dhakite is a WWE news writer for Sportskeeda. From wallpapers on electronic devices to ringtones and alarms, WWE runs in the blood of Akash Dhakite, giving him an ascendancy of knowledge about this sport.

Since he was three years old, John Cena and The Undertaker mesmerized Akash's soul, allowing him to follow his "Never Give Up" attitude.

From The Champ's Royal Rumble 2008 surprise entrance to his TLC match against Wade Barett to busting open Brock Lesnar at Extreme Rules to emotionally breaking down at WrestleMania 28 after losing the match against The Rock, Dhakite breathes WWE.

He has an experience in professional wrestling as a news writer, having over 514 live articles on the internet. Besides his love for WWE, Dhakite is also a comedy writer and has occasionally performed as a stand-up comedian.

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Edited by Yash Mittal