{
  "id": 65761,
  "title": "SummerSlam: Kevin Owens thought WWE career was over until 'a few weeks ago' — 'I definitely did not make peace with it'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/summerslam-kevin-owens-thought-wwe-career-was-over-until-a-few-weeks",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-03T02:10:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/wrestling/article/summerslam-kevin-owens-thought-wwe-career-was-over-until-a-few-weeks-ago--i-definitely-did-not-make-peace-with-it-021052738.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kevin Owens made a surprising comeback to WWE at SummerSlam 2026 Night 2, surprising everyone with his return at the age of 42. He had been sidelined since WrestleMania 41 due to a neck injury that required surgery, leaving many wondering if his career was over. However, Owens found solace in the support of his loved ones and the WWE medical staff, saying, \"I definitely did not make peace with it\" when he was told he might never return to the ring. It wasn't until a few weeks ago that Owens was cleared to compete again, revealing, \"Honestly, up until a month ago, I thought this may be it.\" Owens' big win against Sami Zayn put him in the No. 1 contender position for CM Punk's title, following in the footsteps of former Universal Champion Randy Orton, who had also made a surprise return.",
  "summary": "Owens, a beloved former champion, suffered a grisly neck injury 17 months ago that threatened to end his WWE career. On Sunday, he made his surprise return at SummerSlam.",
  "key_points": [
    "Kevin Owens returns to WWE at 42 after neck injury surgery.",
    "Owens thought career was over until 'a few weeks ago'.",
    "Wins No. 1 contender spot against CM Punk's title."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/65761.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}