Randy Orton, the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion, has been absent from programming for nearly two months. He was engaged in a heated rivalry with former Universal Champion Kevin Owens. Orton, who was seen trying to calm things down between Owens and Cody Rhodes, faced Owens’ wrath instead. The Prizefighter was reportedly upset due to Rhodes teaming up with Roman Reigns during WWE Bad Blood 2024. This created tension between the two friends, which resulted in Owens attacking Rhodes backstage at Bad Blood.
Owens then turned heel and attacked Orton in the parking lot while the latter tried to defuse the situation. WWE later made a match official between the two for Crown Jewel, but they brawled throughout the arena, and the match never officially began. On the November 8 episode of SmackDown, Owens delivered a piledriver to Orton.
After taking that devastating move from Owens, Orton, who had returned from back surgery a year ago, went on hiatus. With him out of the picture, the rivalry between Owens and Rhodes intensified. At WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, Owens delivered another piledriver, this time to Rhodes. Now that Orton is out of action for almost two months and the Royal Rumble season is approaching, recent reports have revealed when fans can expect The Viper’s return to the ring.
Randy Orton is reportedly “on the verge” of making his WWE return
WrestleVotes stated on the Backstage Pass that former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton is “on the verge” of returning to the promotion’s programming. The report revealed that WWE’s creative team has confirmed that Orton is expected to return soon. The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion could return at, or around, the Royal Rumble next month in Indianapolis, Indiana.
WWE SmackDown confirmed last week that Kevin Owens will face Cody Rhodes in a ladder match at the Royal Rumble. Since the match was announced, fans have speculated that Orton may return at the Royal Rumble to confront Owens.
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