Career Timeline of Kevin Owens: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 21, 2025

How Kevin Owens built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Kevin Owens, born Kevin Yanick Steen, is a Canadian professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, performing on the SmackDown brand. He is known for his versatile in-ring style and character work. He is presently inactive because of a neck injury.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

May 7, 2000: Steen's First Wrestling Match

On May 7, 2000, which was his 16th birthday, Kevin Steen had his first wrestling match in L'Assomption, Quebec. He had been training with Jacques Rougeau and wrestled for his promotion.

2000: Steen Begins His Wrestling Career

In 2000, at the age of 16, Kevin Steen began his professional wrestling career. He is now known as Kevin Owens.

2002: First Meeting with Sami Zayn

In 2002, Kevin Steen, now known as Kevin Owens, first met Rami Sebei, who is now known as Sami Zayn. They became best friends and have frequently teamed up or feuded with each other in wrestling.

August 16, 2003: Steen's IWS Debut

On August 16, 2003, Kevin Steen made his International Wrestling Syndicate (IWS) debut at Born to Bleed.

September 10, 2004: Steen's CZW Debut

On September 10, 2004, Kevin Steen made his Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) debut at High Stakes II, participating in a 4-Way Match. The match was unofficially chosen as "CZW Match of the Year".

May 13, 2005: Steen Enters Feud in PWG

On May 13, 2005, at Jason Takes PWG, Kevin Steen entered into his first feud in PWG, helping Excalibur defeat Super Dragon and revealing himself as the fake Super Dragon.

2006: Steen Forms Tag Team with El Generico

In 2006, Kevin Steen began teaming with El Generico and pursued the PWG World Tag Team Championship.

February 17, 2007: Steen Returns to ROH

On February 17, 2007, Kevin Steen returned to Ring of Honor, teaming with El Generico in a losing effort to the Briscoe Brothers.

December 11, 2010: First PWG win in two years

On December 11, 2010, Kevin Steen wrestled Akira Tozawa for his first PWG win in two years.

January 29, 2011: Defeated by Chris Hero at WrestleReunion

On January 29, 2011, Kevin Steen was defeated by Chris Hero at PWG's annual WrestleReunion-sponsored event.

February 2, 2011: Announced teaming with Akira Tozawa

On February 2, 2011, it was announced that Kevin Steen would be teaming with Akira Tozawa for the DDT4 tournament.

February 2011: Steen's ROH Contract Expires

In February 2011, Kevin Steen's contract with Ring of Honor expired. He would later sign a new contract with the promotion.

June 26, 2011: Steen Returns to ROH and Attacks Corino

On June 26, 2011, at Best in the World, Kevin Steen returned to Ring of Honor and attacked Steve Corino, turning on him and Jimmy Jacobs. He was then removed from the arena.

March 4, 2012: Defeats Jimmy Jacobs in No Holds Barred match

On March 4, 2012, at the 10th Anniversary Show, Kevin Steen defeated Jimmy Jacobs in a No Holds Barred match. Following the match, Steen had another confrontation with Davey Richards.

January 12, 2013: Reunites with El Generico for Tag Team Tournament

On January 12, 2013, Kevin Steen and El Generico reunited to enter the 2013 Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament.

March 2, 2013: Defeats Jay Lethal to retain ROH World Championship

On March 2, 2013, at the 11th Anniversary Show, Kevin Steen defeated Jay Lethal in a grudge match to retain the ROH World Championship.

July 26, 2014: PWG farewell match

On July 26, 2014, Kevin Steen was defeated by Trevor Lee in his PWG farewell match.

August 12, 2014: Signs with WWE and reports to NXT

On August 12, 2014, WWE announced that Kevin Steen had signed with them and was due to report to their developmental system NXT on August 25. His new ring name had only the surname changed to Owens.

August 2014: Steen Signs with WWE and Joins NXT

In August 2014, Kevin Steen, now known as Kevin Owens, signed with WWE and joined their developmental branch NXT.

2014: Steen Returns to CZW for Two Matches

In 2014, Kevin Steen returned to CZW after six years, competing in two matches. First, Steen was defeated by Japanese competitor Masato Tanaka. Twenty-two days later, Steen defeated D. J. Hyde at an event in Rhode Island.

2014: Steen Joins WWE

In late 2014, Kevin Steen, now known as Kevin Owens, joined WWE after wrestling for Ring of Honor (ROH) and extensively on the independent circuit. He wrestled under his birth name.

May 2015: Owens Debuts on WWE Main Roster

In May 2015, Kevin Owens debuted on the main roster of WWE after being in NXT. He would go on to win numerous championships in WWE.

January 24, 2016: Unsuccessful Royal Rumble

On January 24, 2016, Kevin Owens unsuccessfully challenged Dean Ambrose for the Intercontinental Championship at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view in a Last Man Standing match. Later that night, Owens entered the 2016 Royal Rumble match, but was eliminated by Sami Zayn.

January 9, 2017: Jericho Wins United States Championship

On January 9, 2017, Chris Jericho pinned Roman Reigns in a handicap match involving Owens, winning the WWE United States Championship.

January 26, 2020: Owens Enters Royal Rumble

On January 26, 2020, Kevin Owens entered the Royal Rumble match at #27, but was eliminated by Seth Rollins.

2020: Owens Drafted to SmackDown Brand

In 2020, as part of the 2020 Draft in October, Kevin Owens was drafted to the SmackDown brand.

January 31, 2021: Owens Fails to Win Universal Championship

On January 31, 2021, at Royal Rumble, Kevin Owens failed to win the Universal Championship in a match against Roman Reigns, after interference from Jey Uso and Paul Heyman.

2021: Owens Drafted to Raw

In 2021, as part of the 2021 Draft, Kevin Owens was drafted to the Raw brand, where he turned heel.

January 28, 2023: Owens Loses to Reigns

On January 28, 2023, at the Royal Rumble, Kevin Owens lost to Roman Reigns in an Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match. Following the match, Owens was attacked by The Bloodline.

2023: Kevin Owens Drafted to Raw Brand

In 2023, as part of the 2023 WWE Draft, Kevin Owens, along with Sami Zayn, was drafted to the Raw brand.

July 2024: Record for quickest NXT Championship win surpassed

In July 2024, Ethan Page surpassed Kevin Owens' record for the quickest superstar to win the NXT Championship from debut, a record that stood for over nine years.