Kevin Owens Reveals Meaning Behind Matching Tattoo with Mentor Steve Corino

STAMFORD, Conn. — WWE superstar Kevin Owens recently opened up about the significance of his matching tattoo with longtime friend and mentor Steve Corino during an episode of WWE’s “Tattooed.” The tattoo, which reads “LIVE” with a backward “E,” symbolizes their bond and shared history in professional wrestling.

Owens explained that the tattoo represents their faction in Ring of Honor (ROH) and holds deep personal meaning. “I got this tattoo that says ‘LIVE,'” Owens said. “Because the E is backward, some people say ‘EVIL.’ A lot of people get this one, and they ask me first if it’s okay, and I’m always happy to say, ‘Yeah, sure, go ahead.’ This one resonates with a lot of people.”

The tattoo was inked simultaneously with Corino, who has an identical design. Owens described Corino as a pivotal figure in his career, crediting him with bringing him to Japan for the first time and mentoring him in the wrestling industry. “He’s my mentor. He brought me to Japan for the first time. We wrestled each other in 2004,” Owens said. “My last match in Ring of Honor was against him. Couldn’t have been against anybody else.”

Owens and Corino’s friendship dates back to their time in ROH, where they formed a close bond both in and out of the ring. Although their busy schedules have limited their interactions in recent years, Owens emphasized that their connection remains unbreakable. “We don’t talk as much as we wish just because of life. We don’t see each other as much as we wish because of life. But there’s absolutely a lifelong bond for sure,” he said.

Owens also shared insights into his decision to get tattoos, revealing that he waited until he was certain of his wrestling career before committing to permanent ink. “I was pretty young when I decided I wanted tattoos, but I didn’t wanna get any tattoos before I knew for a fact that I was gonna make a living as a wrestler,” Owens explained. “At the time, back when I was young, there was this thing, right? Like, ‘oh, you can’t get tattoos all over you. It’s going to hinder your chances to get some jobs,’ this and that.”

Today, Owens is one of WWE’s top stars, and his tattoos have become a defining part of his persona. The “LIVE” tattoo, in particular, serves as a testament to his enduring friendship with Corino and their shared journey in the wrestling world.