Report: Update On Kevin Owens Taking Time Off From WWE

Kevin Owens suggested recently on social media that he would be taking some time away from WWE, but it appears a return is more imminent that previously first believed.

Owens took to Twitter in the aftermath of last Sunday's loss to Sami Zayn at Hell In A Cell 2021 to indicate he was stepping away for a while, but the former Universal Champion has since been booked in a Last Man Standing Match with his longstanding rival on this coming week's SmackDown.

The quick turnaround had some WWE fans wondering if plans had changed but, according to Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer, Owens was always set to be on Friday 2 July episode of the blue brand.

It is reported that Owens, in asking for time off from WWE, had only actually requested just shy of two weeks off, and therefore the plan was always for the 37-year-old to miss just one SmackDown before returning to action this week.

Owens and Zayn will meet with the Last Man Standing stipulation, with the winner securing their spot in the Men's Money In The Bank Ladder Match.