Report: Update On Randy Orton After He Doesn't Return At WWE WrestleMania 39
Reported update on Randy Orton’s status following lack of return at WWE WrestleMania 39
Apr 3, 2023
WWE WrestleMania 39 featured several surprise returns, with the likes of Pat McAfee and Shane McMahon making their unannounced returns to the company. The same cannot be said for Randy Orton, with ‘The Viper’ nowhere to be found despite hopes that the multi-time world champion could return following a serious back injury that has kept him out of action since May 2022.
Per a report from Dave Meltzer on F4W Online, Orton was never in contention for a Mania return, with WWE officials allegedly reaching out to Meltzer and his team on March 31 and requesting they publicly quash any rumours of an Orton return, with WWE wanting to temper audience expectation and alleviate any disappointment.
Orton’s last match came on the May 20, 2022 edition of WWE SmackDown, with Orton and RK-Bro partner Matt Riddle dropping the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Titles to The Usos. Orton underwent lower back fusion surgery in late 2022, and recent reports have stated that Orton is closing in on a WWE return.
