Randy Orton has been absent from WWE television since early November 2024, following an attack by Kevin Owens during a confrontation on SmackDown. This incident resulted in Orton being stretchered out of the arena and subsequently diagnosed with cervical neurapraxia, which led to uncertainty regarding his return timeline.
WWE Universe expected the much anticipated return to take place during Royal Rumble, but they were left disappointed. Owens has been hitting piledrivers on several wrestlers including Cody Rhodes and Sami Zayn. As KO looks set to face Zayn at Elimination Chamber, which is hours away, The Viper is expected to return and cost “The Prizefighter” the match.
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Recent reports also indicate a positive outlook for Orton’s return. According to multiple sources, including PWInsider, Randy Orton is expected to make his comeback in early March 2025. Specifically, he may appear as soon as the first episode of SmackDown following the Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event, which is scheduled for March 1, 2025. This means that fans could potentially see him back on television as early as March 7, 2025.
Furthermore, it is anticipated that Orton will participate in WWE’s European Tour starting on March 14 and running until March 31, where WWE will visit various cities across Europe. His involvement in this tour suggests that Triple h and Co. are keen to reintegrate him into storylines leading up to WrestleMania 41, which will take place in Las Vegas in April.
The expectation surrounding Orton’s return includes a potential storyline involving revenge against Kevin Owens for the assault that sidelined him. While specific plans for his character upon returning have not been fully disclosed yet, there is a strong indication that he will be actively involved in the lead-up to WrestleMania.
Randy Orton is expected to return to WWE programming in early March 2025 and it is speculated that he will kickstart his WrestleMania 41 program. If not Owens then “The Viper” might be involved in a program with Cody Rhodes to help him against The Rock.
Why is Randy Orton Out of Action?
Randy Orton is currently out of action due to a storyline neck injury he sustained during a WWE segment. This injury occurred in November 2024 when Kevin Owens executed a banned piledriver move on Orton, which resulted in him suffering from cervical cord neurapraxia. This condition is characterized by temporary loss of function or sensation in the neck and upper extremities, often caused by trauma to the cervical spine. However, the injury was a way to keep “The Legend Killer” away from television.
Following this incident, Orton was hospitalized immediately and has been sidelined since then. His history with neck issues is notable; Randy Orton underwent multiple neck surgeries in 2022, which had already kept him inactive for an extended period. Medical professionals have advised him about the risks associated with continuing his wrestling career, especially given the nature of his latest injury. They have expressed concerns that further injuries could pose serious health threats to him.
It is important to note that “The Viper” had been out of action for over a year after he suffered back issues and returned at Survivor Series 2023. Taking that into account, Orton would have taken off to take rest after a brief stint to protect his back.
Despite these challenges, there are reports indicating that Orton is expected to return to WWE soon, potentially as early as March 2025. The WWE has plans for him to be involved in storylines leading up to WrestleMania 41, where he is anticipated to resume his feud with Kevin Owens.
Conclusion
In summary, Randy Orton is out of action primarily due to a storyline neck injury caused by a piledriver from Kevin Owens, resulting in cervical cord neurapraxia and ongoing concerns about his long-term health following previous surgeries.
Vijay Suyal