WATCH: Randy Orton pulls out RKO on Nick Aldis after Kevin Owens rules himself out from WrestleMania 41

After Kevin Owens announced that he would not be attending WrestleMania because he needed neck surgery, Randy Orton attacked Nick Aldis with RKO. Kevin Owens brought Aldis to the ring and announced that he had needed neck surgery for the past few months. Because of this, he stated, he would not be able to face Randy Orton at WrestleMania. 

When Randy Orton entered the ring, Owens went to the back, and they exchanged glances.  After apologizing to Orton, Aldis said that his WrestleMania bout would not go forward.  A neck injury has been bothering Kevin Owens, and he will need surgery. Due to this, there will be no contest between him and Randy Orton at WrestleMania. It "really sucks," he remarked, to not be in the ring alongside Orton at Mania.  

Watch the video here:

Kevin Owens reveals that he's dealing with a serious neck surgery for the last four months and he has to go get neck surgery! | #WWE #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/PgqPGroIU3

— Ringside News: WWE & AEW Wrestling News (@ringsidenews_) April 5, 2025

Kevin Owens then expressed his gratitude to WWE for allowing him to publicly express that.  He went on to say that he is unsure of when he would be able to perform for fans once more.  Owens stated that he will never take something for granted since he has learned to never take anything for granted.  As Kevin Owens apologized and told the WWE fans that he was not sure when he would appear in the ring again, and hugged Nick Aldis, this made Chicago fans cheer and yell for him.  As soon as he left the ring, Randy Orton's music began to play.

Kevin Owens had intense plot lines before WrestleMania 

Watch the video here:

.@RandyOrton is in disbelief and took it out on @RealNickAldis 😱#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/M4a89Oabbv

— WWE (@WWE) April 5, 2025

Since making his WWE debut in 2014, he has been an important figure in the company. Ahead of WrestleMania 41, Kevin Owens had some intense plot lines since attacking Cody Rhodes during Bad Blood in October. After many altercations, he was knocked out for months by "The Viper" with a package piledriver.  After Orton's return to the Elimination Chamber, he reciprocated the favor by challenging Owens to a bout at WrestleMania.  Before their now-canceled battle, the two had exchanged words.