Despite what you might have heard, Randy Orton did not return to WWE on Friday.
WWE is in India for the 2023 Superstar Spectacle event. There were rumors that apparently gained traction on Friday that stated Randy Orton made his return at the event.
Those rumors, however, are false.
According to a report from PWInsider.com, Orton did not make an appearance and he is not even in India.
The Viper’s Status
Randy Orton has been sidelined since May 2022 with a back injury. Orton last competed in a “Winner Take All” Unification match where he and Matt Riddle lost the RAW Tag Team Championship to The Usos.
Since then, Orton had lower back fusion surgery. He has not been on WWE TV for more than a year. According to his own father, “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Randy was advised by doctors to step away from the ring for good.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful (via Fightful Select) reported that Orton was not cleared as of SummerSlam weekend. Orton plans on returning to the ring, but he was not factored into WWE’s recent creative plans.
Locker Room Leader
Big Damo, formerly known as Killian Dain in WWE, previously reflected on working with Randy Orton. Speaking with on The Ten Count with Steve Fall, he highlighted Orton’s status as a leader in the locker room.
“Randy was an incredible locker room leader and great to be around,” Big Damo said. “Because you hear all these stories about him, and they’re just not true. And he was wonderful to all of us. Watching him wrestle every night and on those shows and stuff like that was f**king incredible because he’s outstanding at what he does. He always had brilliant matches and everything else. The way he took his time, he orchestrated the cry. He was literally a level above everybody.
“And I’m hearing that he’s having back issues, and I’m really hoping it’s not true because he’s maybe the most important person on that roster right now, and I’m hoping that he’s able to push through it because what a worker he is and, again, as I say what a leader.”
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