Wrestling fans around the globe await the grand return of Randy Orton, the legendary third-generation WWE superstar on the mend since around this time last year due to a real-life and potentially career-threatening injury.
While many fans have speculated about the potential role Orton might have in the current and ongoing WWE storylines – Orton being in Judgment Day or as a heel to Cody Rhodes wouldn’t be the worst idea – it looks like The Viper isn’t coming back anytime soon,
If it’s any consolation, Orton is, at the very least, preparing for his in-ring return with the WWE.
Since May last year, Orton has been absent from the wrestling scene, a consequence of his lower back fusion surgery in November of the same year. This surgical intervention is a novel territory among professional wrestlers, raising a cloud of uncertainty over Orton’s future in the WWE. Despite the doctors advising the 43-year-old to retire from in-ring action, The Legend Killer is reportedly determined to make a comeback. He’s resumed lifting weights, bulking up for a return. By some accounts, he’s become “huge” as a result. But he still isn’t cleared for in-ring training, making the road back a winding and precarious one.
SummerSlam, set to unfold on August 5, Saturday, remains a speculated stage for Orton’s surprise return. Unfortunately, a handful of reports from multiple sources indicate that this isn’t likely. There’s no official timetable for Orton’s return, and a comeback isn’t factored into any current plans of the WWE storyline, as per Fightful Select. However, this hasn’t stopped fans from hoping. The rumors of his comeback have consistently surfaced before major WWE events this year and it won’t stop anytime soon, especially with him now preparing for his return – much to the chagrin of his doctors.
Despite the immense changes in WWE since his departure, the Viper’s legacy remains intact. His last performance, a WWE Tag Team Championship unification match, still resonates in the memories of his admirers. The heavily-teased potential feud between him and his former partner, Matt Riddle, the RAW Tag Team Championship loss to The Usos, and the unified tag team titles currently held by Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens only amplify the anticipation of his return.
Again, Monday Night RAW is terribly short on heels outside of Judgment Day. Who better than Orton to throw a monkey wrench into anyone’s plans?
Orton’s career, marked by countless titles and headlining WrestleManias, is a testament to his indomitable spirit. His 20-year presence in the WWE since his debut in 2002 has seen him evolve into a perennial powerhouse. Notably, Orton is the last active member of Evolution, following the retirements of Ric Flair, Triple H, and Batista, further enhancing his storied wrestling legacy.
His father, WWE Hall of Famer Bob Orton Jr., noted recently that Orton insists on going against doctor’s wishes while Kurt Angle provided a positive update shortly after. But, all this talk doesn’t confirm anything at all.
Although the path to Orton’s return seems to be cloaked in shadow and uncertainty, it’s the silence that makes the Viper’s eventual strike all the more formidable. Perhaps Orton’s motto echoes the adage: “It’s not over till the fat lady sings.” The curtains may have drawn close, the lights dimmed, but for Orton, the show will go on. His steadfast determination to return to the ring, despite the steep odds, is a testament to his passion for the sport. And while the world watches and waits, one can be sure that the Viper is coiling for a triumphant return to his home in the ring.
As the wrestling universe waits for Randy Orton’s WWE return, we must remember: patience is a virtue. It might be a while, but the Viper is coming, ready to strike. As for the “when,” only time can answer that.
