Former WWE Champion’s future unclear with ‘new contract unsigned’ for SmackDown star-Alistair McGeorge-Entertainment – Metro

Kevin Owens is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal (Picture: WWE)

WWE superstar Kevin Owens is reportedly yet to sign a new contract with his current deal running out early next year.

The former Universal Champion, who first signed with the wrestling giant a decade ago in 2014, will be out of contract early in 2025 if no agreement is reached.

It’s reported that while KO has ‘been approached for a new contract’, he hasn’t signed a new deal, although ‘communication has been made’.

According to Fightful, WWE rival All Elite Wrestling (AEW) ‘has long had a major interest’ in signing Owens if he became a free agent, and they are ‘expected’ to make an offer if that becomes the case.

Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk in Lyon, France earlier this year, KO confirmed his contract is currently set to end early in 2025 after he signed his previous extension in 2021.

Hours before Backlash back in May, he said: ‘I really don’t take anything for granted, I’ve nine months left on my contact, and I don’t know what can happen from here on out.’

He has been with WWE for a decade and previously told us he wants to stay (Picture: WWE)

He recently challenged Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship (Picture: WWE)

After the tragic deaths of wrestling superstars and friends like Bray Wyatt, Brodie Lee and Jay Briscoe, the veteran is taking everything as it comes.

‘That’s just life. If I’ve learned anything over the last few years, it’s that nothing is guaranteed. I’ve learned that through some very unfortunate events, we’ve lost so many good people that was never expected,’ he told us.

‘That’s just one example of how I do not take anything for granted, how I look at things now.’

Other career highlights include facing hero ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin at WrestleMania (Picture: WWE)

In positive news for WWE fans, KO also revealed at the time that he has no plans to leave WWE of his own accord, particularly after spending a decade with the company since arriving in NXT under Triple H’s leadership in 2014.

Owens – who does have friends like The Young Bucks in AEW – explained: ‘This has been my home for 10 years and it’s beyond the locker room.

‘There’s some very, very, very special people that work behind the scenes that I’ve become very close with, and I really can’t imagine not seeing them as part of my life.’

As well as being a former world champion, Owens lived out a childhood dream in 2022 when he faced ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin at WrestleMania.

Ricochet recently left WWE to sign for rivals All Elite Wrestling (Picture: AEW)

While superstars like Bobby Lashley and Ricochet have left in recent months – with the latter joining AEW – WWE has worked to tie down the likes of Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, Nikki Cross and more to new deals.

They have been active in bringing in new signings too, with Giulia recently making her NXT debut, and fans still waiting on Stephanie Vaquer to appear on screen.

Meanwhile, it’s said WWE has secured legendary tag team the Motor City Machine Guns, with new reports suggesting beloved AEW tag team the Lucha Bros have also penned a deal.

WWE SmackDown airs Friday nights at 1am on TNT Sports 1.

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