Per Wrestling Observer Randy Orton is believed to be on his way back to WWE. Out of action for months with an injury that was potentially career-threatening, During the latest Wrestling Observer Radio show, Garrett Gonzales asked Dave Meltzer The Viper’s status and based on what Melzer has heard, it looks like Orton will be back on television sooner than later. In fact, if he’s not at WrestleMania 39, Orton could be making a surprise appearance on the Monday WrestleMania Raw show.
“All the indications are that he’s on his way back, which is also good news because at the end of last year, there were definitely people worried about him,” Meltzer said. Orton has not been seen since May 2022, when he and Matt Riddle lost the Raw Tag Team Championships to the Usos on Smackdown. Following the loss, it was learned that Orton was dealing with a severe back injury and would be out of action for some time. There was talk his in-ring career might be over.
But, recent reports are noting that Orton is being booked to appear at WrestleMania weekend and he was recently ordering new boots from wrestling bootmaker Jose G Sanz. Sanz wrote, “I haven’t made them yet but Randy Orton contacted me via email for his return…”
Whether Orton comes back and finishes his storyline with Matt Riddle remains to be seen. Riddle hasn’t been on WWE programming either in some time. He was taken out by Solo Sikoa and written off of television to deal with personal issues. He’s not been back since and it isn’t clear if WWE wants to have these two reunite as a tag team or potentially battle each other.
Bleacher Report writes, “If Orton is good to go come WrestleMania time, one intriguing option would be for him to confront Cody Rhodes on the Raw after WrestleMania if Rhodes beats Roman Reigns for the undisputed WWE Universal Championship.”
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