Randy Orton Reveals Full Scope of Debilitating Back Injury

Randy Orton made a triumphant return to WWE television at last year’s Survivor Series Premium Live Event, greeted by thunderous applause from the audience. He came back from a terrible back injury and Orton recently disclosed the full extent of the injury.

Before that, Randy Orton had been absent from WWE since May 2022 due to a severe back injury. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, the WWE star shared the significant pain he endured regularly before taking time off.

“Before I left, I’d got to the point where [Matt] Riddle had done everything he could for me as a tag partner,” Orton said. “I could barely stand for a long amount of time. Taking my kids trick-or-treating that Halloween, I would have to sit in between the houses because I just couldn’t be on my feet that long.”

For a period, Randy Orton believed that a cortisone shot would be sufficient to enable him to continue performing in the ring. However, after undergoing an MRI, Orton was informed that the shot wouldn’t be effective due to the severe damage to his back. Moreover, other options, such as an ablation procedure, were deemed insufficient to address the issues.

“I had stenosis, degeneration all over my lower spine, and a slipping disc,” Orton explained. “Every time I extended my spine, it would slip and press on those nerves. I couldn’t sit and take a s**t without pain shooting down my legs or my feet going numb. I couldn’t stand. There were times when I’d move and end up on the floor.”

Thankfully, Orton had successful surgery and is now back to normal. The Viper is currently slated to participate in the Men’s Elimination Chamber match at the Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event on February 24th. It remains to be seen whether he will emerge victorious in the bout in Perth, Australia.

Do you feel Randy Orton is truly lucky he managed to avoid retirement? Let us know in the comments section below!