WWE NXT Star Kevin Owens Sustains Knee Injury Before Finn Balor Match [PHOTOS]

Kevin Owens hit quick success in WWE’s developmental system NXT. In only his third match he won the NXT championship by brutalizing friend and fan favorite Sami Zayn. Some even compared Zayn’s beat down to the one John Cena suffered at the hands of Brock Lesnar at Summerslam. Sadly, NXT’s junior beast is hitting a bit of turbulence in his meteoric rise to the top of the WWE Universe as Owens underwent knee surgery for an injury he sustained last week.

Despite the injury, Owens is optimistic.

https://t.co/JH0WB7K5hE Yes, I had knee surgery. No, it won’t slow me down. Why? Because I’m Kevin Owens, silly! #SoonToBeBetterThanEver

— Kevin Owens (@FightOwensFight) March 16, 2015

A good thing about having surgery: I’ll probably get a sweet hype video for my return set to “Beautiful Day” by U2…Right?! @WWENXT @TripleH — Kevin Owens (@FightOwensFight) March 16, 2015

After the partial meniscectomy surgery, Owens says he's already on his feet and walking around without crutches.

The champion told WWE.com that he's already begun physical therapy at the famed WWE Performance Center. "I don't think it's going to slow me down", Owens told WWE's official site. "I'm on the way back."

Kevin and someone he has a lot of respect for, Rhyno! #NXT #WWE #GORE #KevinOwens A photo posted by Karina Steen (@karinaleilas) on Mar 9, 2015 at 3:16pm PDT

This may seem like a huge concern for Owens' fans but let's not forget that NXT schedules are different than WWE's. WWE is a 300-day-a-year job whereas NXT tapes a few episodes a day and its top stars rarely wrestle in big-time matches more than two or three times a month.

Were he on the main roster this would be a concern but NXT gives the champ some more time to rest.

While the future may be a bit kinder to Owens the big question is what happens on March 25th because that's the day he's set to defend the championship against number one contender Finn Balor. Right now, the WWE has yet to make a decision but don't be surprised if we see it a later date. A star such as Owens shouldn't be damaging his WWE career three months into it.

It's @wwebalor vs. @FightOwensFight for #WWENXT Championship on March 25 ONLY on @WWENetwork! #TheFutureIsNow

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) March 5, 2015

[Image Courtesy of Kevin Owens/Twitter]