Randy Orton Debunks Back Injury Reports Amid Ongoing WWE Hiatus

Randy Orton has scoffed at the reports of his back significantly injured while reaffirming his WWE comeback goal.

Randy Orton Debunks Back Injury Reports Amid Ongoing WWE Hiatus

Randy Orton [via- Cageside Seats]

Randy Orton has shot down the rumors of him currently dealing with a significant back injury. ‘The Viper’ took to X to clear the air around his WWE absence. He asked fans to let him enjoy the summer before he returns to resume his pursuit of adding a 15th world title to his Hall of Fame–worthy resume.

Ever since Orton has casually debunked something that was reported by Dave Meltzer, the netizens have been bashing the veteran wrestling journalist for disseminating false information. Despite the St. Louis-born WWE great claiming that he’s currently on a break, he did look uncomfortable at WrestleMania.

The 46-year-old was spotted favoring his back during multiple instances of his matchup with Cody Rhodes. Some deemed it flawless selling from Orton, while others were having a hard time believing he was merely acting. After all, ‘The Apex Predator’ has had a history of nagging back issues.

In fact, he had to undergo a back fusion surgery for a career-threatening injury that kept him sidelined for 18 months a few years ago. Randy Orton was even told he wouldn’t be able to wrestle again, but he defied the odds and came back in November 2023 on a night when CM Punk made his shocking return to WWE.

Circling back to Randy Orton’s showdown with Cody Rhodes at this year’s WrestleMania, it had the unsolicited presence of Pat McAfee as well. ‘The Legend Killer’ ended his three-week alliance with McAfee by dropping him with an RKO after the latter’s shenanigans didn’t fetch him the desired result.

Orton temporarily setting his sights on the former NFL punter came back to bite him. Rhodes took advantage of a distracted Orton to retain the WWE title. ‘The QB1’ sustained a serious eye injury during the course of that bout that came about after a heavy punch from ‘The Viper’ opened up a wound near Rhodes’ left eyebrow.

It took him just over a week to recover and be cleared for in-ring action. The immediate aftermath of their match at Mania saw Orton snatch the WWE title belt away from Rhodes and knock him out with it. The 14-time world champion ultimately used the devastating punt kick to render his former stablemate ineffective and stand tall.

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Cody Rhodes and Gunther tussle over WWE title in Randy Orton’s absence

Cody Rhodes said on SmackDown after WrestleMania that the student had overcome his master. He highlighted how not even a vicious punt kick to the side of his head could keep him down. It left an impression among the fans that Randy Orton would ambush the former AEW EVP sooner rather than later to further their rivalry.

Cody Rhodes, Gunther and Randy Orton
Cody Rhodes, Gunther and Randy Orton [via- WWE]

However, it’s almost been a month, and Orton’s nowhere to be seen on WWE programming, which he has himself addressed in the aforementioned post. Since Rhodes is currently engaged in a feud with Gunther and the two of them are set to duke it out at Clash in Italy, it’d be interesting to see who comes out of this rivalry as the Undisputed WWE Champion.

The company could stretch it out for a month or two until Randy Orton slithers his way back into the title picture. It’s bound to happen before SummerSlam considering ‘The Apex Predator’ stays healthy. The August-slated PLE is the most obvious destination for a world title rematch between Rhodes and Orton.

While that’s subject to change, it would be a no-brainer to do at a stadium show so as to move as many tickets as it possibly can. Should it happen at the ‘Biggest Party of the Summer’, Rhodes vs. Orton II would have the onus of topping their WrestleMania showdown, as it felt underwhelming to the majority of the fans.

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