Kevin Owens surprised the world when he announced a massive neck injury that has maintained it with pain in recent months. The Prizefighter revealed that it required surgery and that it would take time out of television, just a couple of weeks from the great stage of all.
KO was initially scheduled to face Randy Orton in Wrestlemania 41. However, after the announcement of his injury, the fight was canceled by SmackDown general manager, Nick Aldis. With his fight outside, Randy Orton doesn't want to sit seeing the shows shows from home. The Viper is now looking for a new opponent to compete in Wrestlemania.
While Randy Orton's state in Wrestlemania is still unknown, Kevin Owens seems to be out of television for a long time. With the former universal champion losing several important shows in the coming months, WWE may need to find his replacement in the blue brand.
Although replacing one of the most integral and entertaining stars of the SmackDown roster is not easy, let's explore some names that Triple H could choose as the replacement of The Prizefighter.
#4. Omos
Omos has not appeared on WWE television since André The Giant Memorial Battle Royal of 2024 and has been on the edge of returning for some time. He also made a brief appearance in Pro Wrestling Noah but ended his step before, declaring that he would return to the company based in Stamford.
With Kevin Owens out of action, WWE could bring back the Nigerian giant to the blue brand after Wrestlemania 41. With the possible return of Omos, WWE could open the door to a large number of opportunities.
#3. Rusev
The former AEW star, Rusev, has been rumored to return to WWE for quite some time. He left All Elite Wrestling earlier this year, and speculation about his return to the company with headquarters in Stamford is at its highest point. Recent reports indicate that the star has signed a contract with WWE, and fans are now waiting for their return to television.
These reports arrived just when KO announced their injury, which could be a clue that Rusev will be Owens's replacement in the blue brand. The former AEW star has a lot of history with several names in the company based in Stamford and could begin his new stage in WWE with one of them.
#2. Aleister Black
Another former name of AEW Rumorado to return to WWE is Aleister Black. He was released from the company based in Stamford in 2021 before debuting in the company led by Tony Khan. However, Black could not have a memorable race at All Elite Wrestling, after which the company left earlier this year.
Speculations about their return to the company have also been circulating on the Internet. Black could end up being the perfect replacement for KO in SmackDown, possibly taking the place of Kevin Owens on the Wrestlemania billboard. Aleister Black vs. Randy Orton in everyone's great stage could be a dream fight, exciting the WWE universe for the event.
#1. Kevin Owens teammate Sami Zayn
Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens destroyed each other and years of their friendship during a fight not sanctioned in elimination chamber 2025. Both men had a massive rivalry, which began in RAW after Royal Rumble 2025 and ended with Zayn being written outside television after his fight in Toronto.
With Kevin Owens injured, WWE could bring the former intercontinental champion back to SmackDown, but like Heel. This massive turn could open several opportunities for the company based in Stamford. In addition, Zayn could also land as Randy Orton's new opponent in Wrestlemania. Fans will now have to wait and see what WWE has planned after the announcement of KO's injury.
