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By Fernando Quiles Jr
Contributing Sports Writer
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The return timeline for Kevin Owens remains unclear ahead of WWE "Royal Rumble 2026." Fightful reports that as of the Jan. 24 edition of "Saturday Night's Main Event," Owens had not been medically cleared to return to in-ring action. Whether or not Owens will get clearance before WWE's return to Riyadh remains to be seen.
Owens hasn't performed in a match since March 1, 2025. He had an "Unsanctioned Match" with Sami Zayn at the "Elimination Chamber" PLE. Owens was scheduled to face Randy Orton at "WrestleMania 41" in Las Vegas, but during the April 4, 2025 episode of "SmackDown," he announced that he needed to undergo neck surgery.
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More News: Uncertainty Surrounds Grayson Waller’s WWE Royal Rumble 2026 Status
Kevin Owens' Royal Rumble History
If Owens is forced to miss the "Royal Rumble" event on Saturday, it would mark the first time the annual show hasn't featured him since 2019. The former WWE Universal Champion was dealing with neck problems during that time as well. While Owens has only emerged victorious once during a "Royal Rumble" event, he's often featured prominently on the show.
Owens actually has just three appearances in the men's Royal Rumble match. The rest of his matches at the spectacle have been contested for championships. His most recent outing on the show was a memorable ladder match against Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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- 3 More WWE Names Likely Won’t Attend Royal Rumble 2026 (Updated)
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