Randy Orton has been absent from WWE programming since the November 8th, 2024 episode of Friday Night SmackDown. During that episode, Orton attempted to stop the brawl between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens. But that attempt backfired with a brutal attack by his former ally Owens. Now, we got an update about Randy Orton’s return.
What Happened to Randy Orton?
The incident took place after a chaotic fallout from the Crown Jewel 2024 Premium Live Event (PLE). At that PLE, Orton and Owens were scheduled for a match that never officially began. Instead, a fight happened outside the ring, leading to a heated brawl on following episode of SmackDown.
During the altercation, Kevin Owens delivered a Piledriver, a move that has been widely banned in WWE due to its dangerous nature. This left Orton with a serious neck injury, later confirmed by WWE as cervical cord neurapraxia. The injury has sidelined Orton indefinitely, leaving fans speculating about his return.
Backstage Update on Orton’s Return
In a recent Live Q&A session on Backstage Pass, insider WrestleVotes provided an update on Orton’s potential comeback.
“By the Royal Rumble, you know, if not on February 1st, it’ll be beforehand. So yeah, very soon,” WrestleVotes stated.
This news has fueled excitement among WWE fans, as the Royal Rumble 2025 is scheduled for January 25, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Road to Royal Rumble
The Royal Rumble promises to be a major event, with Cody Rhodes set to defend his title against Kevin Owens in a Ladder Match. Orton’s return would add even more star power to the PLE, with fans eagerly awaiting The Viper’s revenge on Owens.
Orton last competed on the October 25, 2024, episode of SmackDown. At that show, he teamed up with Cody Rhodes to take on Imperium’s Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser. Since then, rumors about his comeback have intensified. The debut of WWE’s Monday Night Raw on Netflix in early 2025 has only added to these speculations.
Stay Tuned for More Updates
As WWE builds toward the Royal Rumble, Randy Orton’s potential return remains one of the most talked-about storylines. Could The Viper strike back at Kevin Owens sooner than expected?
For more insider details, check out the full Live Q&A with Bill Apter and WrestleVotes, exclusively on Backstage Pass.
