Backstage update on Randy Orton’s status amidst injury hiatus following Kevin Owens’ attack
Reports provide a speculated timeline for Randy Orton's return to WWE programming after being hit with a piledriver by Kevin Owens.
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Update on Randy Orton's return to WWE following Kevin Owens' pildriver (via WWE)
Randy Orton spent nearly 18 months on the shelf throughout 2022 and 2023. Fans were elated to see his return at Survivor Series 2023 in Chicago. Furthermore, it was great to have a wrestling veteran and icon of the industry appear on weekly WWE programming. However, with The Viper being on the shelf once again, the WWE Universe cannot wait for him to come back.
According to WrestleVotes, Orton should be back on WWE programming by the Royal Rumble, set to take place on February 1st. The former WWE Champion could make a surprise return during the rumble match, potentially at number 30. Alternatively, he may show up on TV prior to the PLE in order to hype up his appearance for the 30-man match.
The debut episode of Raw on Netflix could also be a great place for the Apex Predator to make his return. His arch-nemesis, John Cena, is also set to return during that episode. However, it is unclear if he could find a suitable spot on a card that is already so stacked.
Randy Orton's WWE Return: “By the Royal Rumble, you know, if not on February 1st, it’ll be beforehand. So yeah, very soon.”
— Wrestlelamia.com (@wrestlelamia) December 31, 2024
(via Wrestlevotes Q&A on Backstage Pass) pic.twitter.com/EU5ksditC8
There have been huge tensions between Orton and Kevin Owens ever since the latter turned on Cody Rhodes. This eventually led to the Prizefighter turning on his friend. A few weeks later, he hit a devastating piledriver on the Legend Killer, who already has back and spinal issues. After the show, WWE announced some serious injuries to the 44-year-old.
Matt Riddle says he has unfinished business with Randy Orton
A few years ago, RK-Bro, a team comprising Randy Orton and Matt Riddle, was one of the most over acts in WWE. It was heavily rumored that the veteran would turn on his protege, and they would enter into a feud. However, before this could happen, the Viper got injured. Before his return to WWE programming, the Original Bro had already been released from the company.
In an interview with Developmentally Speaking, Matt Riddle said that he wished he would’ve been able to finish his run with Orton. When they first teamed up, he contracted COVID and had to take an absence from WWE. Furthermore, he was sad that the injuries and his release could not provide a fitting end to their story.
RK-Bro has some untied ends, some loose ends if you will, and it would nice to finish that. Even if it’s just me getting punted and I leave, whatever. It’d be nice to put a period at the end of it.
Matt Riddle on Developmentally Speaking
Riddle said that RK-Bro still had some loose ends, and he still wants to finish those. Riddle wanted to finish the storyline so badly that he was still fine with his role being constrained to him being punted and never being seen again.
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Mokshit Batra
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