Randy Orton Has Started Preparations For His WWE Return

Randy Orton has been out of action for quite some time, and things have certainly changed since he departed. Although The Viper is not on the active roster, hope of his return is evident.

Ringside News exclusively reported that WWE has a hope for Randy Orton’s return to the company. That being said, it is not planned until after SummerSlam is well out of the way. We did not confirm the time-frame, but we were told his return is expected this year.

Sean Sapp reported behind Fightful’s paywall that, “Randy Orton is healing up, but we haven’t heard that he’s heading back just quite yet.” That being said, he has not been cleared for a return just yet. He also hasn’t started taking bumps in the ring at this time.

The future Hall of Famer Randy Orton has been sidelined since May 2022 with an injury that Fightful Select learned was a lower back fusion. Over the past year or so, we’ve reported some progress on his status, and we’ve learned a bit of an update. Sources within WWE creative said that as of this past week, Randy Orton had not been factored into WWE creative plans whatsoever.

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We’ve heard that he’s not yet cleared for in-ring training or action, and those we’ve spoken to say that there hasn’t been an extensive conversation about what the plans will be for Orton. As of now, before in-ring training resumes, Orton is planning to make a return to the ring. However, a lower back fusion isn’t typical among pro wrestlers and is uncharted territory for many. Doctors have told Orton that wrestling in the future isn’t a good idea, but he still plans on it. He has resumed lifting, and we’ve told he’s “huge” as a result.

Orton has resumed working out, but hasn’t resumed bumping, and will likely be brought into the Performance Center to do so.

It was also noted that the outlet “asked a WWE source if Orton would be returning at WWE Summerslam, they said to not count on it, and that he’d not been factored into any creative that they’d heard of. If Orton is planning an imminent return, it’s being kept quiet.”

Randy Orton has made a ton of money in WWE, so the thought was out there that The Viper doesn’t need to wrestle again. That being said, his home is in the ring, and there are plans for his return.

We’re hoping to see Randy Orton make a return to WWE sooner than later. That might be a bit of a wait, so we will have to be patient. Please let us know what you think about this subject in the comments section!