Randy Orton, a 14-time world champion and one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, suffered a back injury in May 2022. In August 2023, Fightful reported that Orton had a lower back fusion and that doctors advised against him returning to wrestling. However, Orton recovered from surgery in the summer of 2023 and returned to WWE on November 25, 2023.
Randy Orton’s WWE Absence
The last time Randy Orton appeared on WWE television was on June 21, 2021, when he teamed up with Riddle to form RK-Bro and faced AJ Styles and Omos for the Raw Tag Team Championship. However, they lost the match after Omos interfered and pinned Riddle. Orton then disappeared from the show without any explanation.
According to various reports, Orton has been dealing with a serious injury that required surgery. He underwent a lower back fusion surgery, which is a procedure that joins two or more vertebrae in the spine to reduce pain and improve stability. This type of surgery is very common among wrestlers, who often suffer from chronic back problems due to the physical demands of their profession.
Orton’s recovery process has been slow and cautious, as he followed the doctors’ advice and did not rush his return. He has been rehabilitating his back and strengthening his muscles, while also resting and spending time with his family. He has been posting updates on his social media accounts, showing his progress, and thanking his fans for their support.
Possible Return to WWE
Many fans have been eagerly waiting for Orton’s return, and speculating about when and how he will come back. There have been several rumors and hints that suggest that Orton might be ready to make his comeback soon. One of the most likely scenarios is that he will return at Survivor Series: WarGames 2023, which is scheduled for November 19, 2023, at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Survivor Series is one of the biggest and most prestigious events in WWE, and it would be a perfect stage for Orton to make a surprise appearance and shock the audience. He could either join one of the teams in the WarGames match, which is a brutal and chaotic match that involves two rings surrounded by a steel cage, or he could interfere in another match and target someone he has a history or a feud with.
Another possibility is that Orton will return on the episode of WWE Raw before the Survivor Series, which is on November 13, 2023, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. He could either announce his participation in the Survivor Series, or he could attack someone and set up a match for the event. He could also reunite with Riddle and resume their RK-Bro partnership, or he could turn on him and start a rivalry.
Changes in Randy Orton
Whenever a wrestler returns from a long absence, there are always some changes that occur in their appearance, attitude, or performance. Orton is no exception, and he might surprise his fans with some new or different aspects of his character. One of the most noticeable changes is his physical appearance, as he has grown a beard and shaved his head, giving him a more rugged and mature look. He has also lost some weight and gained some muscle, as he has been working out and eating healthy.
Another change that Orton might face is his potential retirement from wrestling. Orton is 43 years old, and he has been wrestling for over 20 years. He has achieved almost everything there is to achieve in WWE, and he has nothing left to prove. He has also suffered many injuries and endured many hardships in his career, and he might want to preserve his health and enjoy his life outside the ring. He has hinted at the possibility of retiring in the near future, saying that he wants to spend more time with his wife and children and that he does not want to wrestle past 50.
However, Orton has also said that he loves wrestling and that he is not ready to hang up his boots yet. He has expressed his desire to continue wrestling for as long as he can, and that he still has some goals and dreams to accomplish in WWE. He has mentioned that he wants to break Ric Flair’s record of 16 world championships and that he wants to face some of the new and upcoming stars in WWE.
Orton is one of the most talented and charismatic wrestlers of all time, and he has a loyal and passionate fan base that will always support him. Whether he returns soon or later, whether he stays the same or changes, whether he continues wrestling or retires, he will always be remembered as a legend and an icon in WWE and in the wrestling industry.
