WWE Officials Reportedly Concerned About Randy Orton

[Dale]

A lot has changed in WWE since Randy Orton, and Matt Riddle last teamed together when they dropped the Raw Tag Team Titles to The Usos in a Winner Take All match on SmackDown back in May 2022.

They started teaming up in early 2021 and became RK-Bro, a fan-favorite tag team. Orton and Riddle won the titles by defeating AJ Styles and Omos at WWE SummerSlam 2021.

Original plans called for them to feud against each other, but because they got over so well with the fans, those plans kept getting delayed. When Orton first took time off due to a back injury, WWE was still planning to go forward with their original plans before dropping them once they realized Orton would be gone for a while.

In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that it looks like WWE won’t be reforming the team.

Last week on SmackDown, WWE revealed that Drew McIntyre and Sheamus will now be called The Banger Bros as they move forward as a tag team.

Meltzer noted that it would seem to mean there are no imminent plans for Orton and Riddle to continue as a tag team “because the WWE doesn’t usually like to do names so similarly.”

Meltzer added, “there was a lot of concern regarding Orton’s career due to his back issues.

Riddle was suspended for violating the company’s Wellness Policy after failing a second drug test in 2022 with the expectation that he would be going to rehab. Riddle previously violated the company's wellness policy over the summer.

Orton underwent lower back fusion surgery last November, and there is no timeline for his return.​

 

[Deezy]

We watched TV too Dave.

 

[Dale]

Veteran WWE Superstar Randy Orton could be on his way back to the ring soon.

A new report from PWInsider notes that there’s been some internal rumblings on Orton within the last week or so. This is interesting as there was no formal discussion about Orton from within WWE for a while.

There’s no word yet on what might be planned for Orton, but a heel Orton vs. babyface Cody Rhodes coming out of WrestleMania 39 would be a hot program for both Superstars, who have a history with each other.

The Viper has been on the shelf since May 2022 with back problems, but he underwent fusion surgery on his lower back in late 2022. Orton’s father, WWE Hall of Famer Bob Orton Jr., told fans in late November that his son was “coming along” and would be back shortly. Around that time it was reported that the surgery would keep Orton of action for an extended period of time, likely until this year some time.

Orton has not wrestled since he and Matt Riddle took a loss to Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos on the May 20, 2022 SmackDown, which was the match where the RAW and SmackDown tag team titles were unified. Orton has not been seen since then, and WWE once noted on TV how he was dealing with a back injury, but the company has not provided any additional official updates. It was then reported that Orton may need surgery, and that ended up happening, as mentioned above.​

Please be true

 

[Y2Jayne]

Back pain is no joke, years of superplexes and RKOs definitely didn't help. I hope he recovers and rests as long as he needs, they shouldn't rush him back.

 

[Hidden Blaze]

I’ll pop fucking hard for Orton RKOing Cody out of nowhere

 

[Order]

Orton vs. Cody would be a great first feud for Rhodes as champion to be fair. Loads they could do with their history.

 

[Butters]

I'm having a hard time seeing Orton as a heel upon returning. The crowd will go nuts when he comes back. I'm guessing they'll do the fake out and have him return as a face and then turn on someone in the same segment. Cody or Sami would be a good candidate to get heat on him.

 

[Dale]

Was gonna say the same, think they need to take a bit of time to ride out the babyface momentum before turning him even if it's a couple of weeks or one feud.

 

[Dale]

Spoiler

PW Insider reports that WWE has plans to bring in Randy Orton for WrestleMania in Los Angeles. It appears that this will be Orton’s return to the road.

 

[Sabretooth]

Considering there was talk of him possibly retiring I’ll be so thrilled if he returns. Goddamn.

 

[Kim Jong Umb]

Could you imagine cody wins title holds it high Orton comes out hugs him then boom

 

[Chris]

Could you imagine cody wins title holds it high Orton comes out hugs him then boom

I can and I actually expect something of the sort on the Raw after Mania at this point lol

 

[Cwalker]

Randy and Cody for the title?

 

[Sabretooth]

Randy to be Cody’s first challenger? I fuck with it.

 

[Deezy]

Maybe Orton should go back to using the Overdrive

20 years of flatbacking can't be good for his back.