“A gotdamn National Treasure”- Wrestling fans shower love on Kevin Owens’ humanitarian gesture for Florida’s Disaster Fund

On Sunday, Kevin Owens made a physical appearance at Spookala 2025, which was the spring edition of Florida’s biannual horror and pop culture convention. He participated in a photo op session with all proceeds going to the Florida Disaster Fund. The WWE Superstar pulled it off while being marred with a recently-disclosed neck injury.

The tear-jerking revelation was made by Owens last Friday on SmackDown. Consequently, he withdrew from WrestleMania 41, where he was set to take on Randy Orton. However, as unfortunate as it gets, injuries are a part and parcel for these professional wrestlers.

It sucks for the fans that he wouldn’t play a part at WWE’s biggest show in 2025. Owens told Robbie Fox on My Mom’s Basement that a regular match in January jarred his neck. Neither that ladder match with Cody Rhodes at the Royal Rumble nor the one with Sami Zayn at the Elimination Chamber troubled Kevin’s neck at all.

Tomorrow!

I’m going to take my daughter to her horseback riding lesson and then I’ll come right over and meet everyone.

All proceeds go to a great cause!

Come tell me the same thing everyone before you will have already said and see me try to react differently every time. pic.twitter.com/OdFjLBUPMW

— Kevin (@FightOwensFight) April 5, 2025

However, an MRI conducted this past week showed that his neck was in a dire state and he’d require surgery. The Prizefighter was extremely disappointed waking up to the news about his neck already making the rounds on social media. He wanted to speak directly with the fans, which he did in his SmackDown appearance.

But by the time it aired live, a chunk of the audience was already aware of Kevin’s physical condition. There’s no timeframe on his return at this point. The Canuck is turning 41 in May, and if this is it for him, he’d not be regretting it since his last match was with his best friend in front of their own people.

Fans appreciate Kevin Owens for beefing up the Florida Disaster Fund

As a banged-up Kevin Owens helped raise some funds to contribute to the disaster relief in the state of Florida, the netizens are raving about the 40-year-old. The comment section of his post promoting the appearance was flooded with well wishes and speedy recovery messages.

The netizens lauded the former Universal Champion for doing the charity event despite being injured. A user posted a picture of Owens from the time he used to carry the Winged Eagle WWE belt, calling himself the true champion. The said fan added that not only is Kevin the real champion, he’s the ultimate family man and the hero to the people of Florida.

😂😂😂
You sir are THE GENUINE ARTICLE and a gotdamn National Treasure.

Godspeed bro to your recovery- post surgery👏🏽

Legitimately one of the greatest performers ever.

— It’s ALWAYS been REAL to ME🔥 (@GREATESTFOESHOW) April 6, 2025

True Champion, even while injured you’re being the Ultimate Family man and Hero to all the people of Florida. Have Fun 🙌🏻 and we all Love you Kevin!! #KevinIsRight pic.twitter.com/J0ZgZwxoZU

— Todd Ferguson (@ToddFerguson01) April 5, 2025

You are my favorite wrestler from modern times. I wish you only the best. Get well soon and come back when you can . 🙏

— Controller of Planet X 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@TJTimeBomb) April 6, 2025

I don’t care if everyone has said this, I’m going to say it again because you deserve it after everything you have done for the business. I’m sorry this happened to you, I will miss you on the shows, and I’m praying for you the best and a speedy recovery. Fight Owens Fight!

— Jimmy Cross (@jimmycrossusa) April 6, 2025

One of the best in the business who gives his all and puts his body on the line for the fans and the company. Great playing the role of heel and face. Fans will miss you KO. Get well. Looking forward to a KO championship run when you get healthy.

— Ryan Ruark (@MdPensFan6687) April 6, 2025

Wishing you a successful surgery and speedy recovery goat! 🙏🏽🖤

— 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 ⚡ (@Swerveinmone) April 5, 2025

We love you man,thanks for all the good memories you gave us,so many moments I'll never forget,wishing you a full recovery!!

— Sarzzez Khadgi (@P1Khadgi) April 5, 2025

Many of his fans from his days in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and Ring of Honor also extended their best wishes to The Prizefighter. Owens’ gesture for Floridians is invaluable, as the southeasternmost US state has been through a lot. A couple of tropical cyclones, viz., Helene and Milton, ravaged areas of Florida in September-October 2024. They claimed nearly 300 lives in the United States with $113 billion worth of property damages.

Is Kevin Owens expected to be out for 5 years?

Kevin Owens mentioned during his SmackDown promo that he doesn’t know when he’ll get the privilege to compete in front of the WWE Universe again. Yesterday, several accounts disseminated misinformation regarding the recovery period of the Quebec-born wrestler.

The said posts claimed that Owens is expected to be on the sidelines for the next 2-5 years and they cited PWInsider as their source. However, the outlet soon cleared the air, saying it never reported on that front and deemed the assertions fake.

There is a FALSE report making rounds claiming https://t.co/IdEy3jOI0H has reported Kevin Owens will be out for several years. We never reported anything of that nature. Anyone saying such is lying to you. Thanks – Mike

— PWInsider.com (@PWInsidercom) April 6, 2025

With Owens’ unforeseen ouster, Randy Orton is left with nothing to go after at WrestleMania 41. However, the fans are still hopeful for The Viper ending up on the card in some capacity. Orton stunned GM Nick Aldis with an RKO in rage, which may have its repercussions.

Related: Real truth behind Brock Lesnar’s alleged retirement from wrestling amidst his prolonged WWE hiatus