Randy Orton’s return at WWE Elimination Chamber 2025 has set the stage for a WrestleMania 41 grudge match against Kevin Owens. The rivalry, which began when Owens sidelined Orton with a Package Piledriver in November, has intensified following Orton’s comeback in Toronto last Saturday.
WWE analyst Sam Roberts addressed the matchup on his Notsam Wrestling podcast, pointing out a unique aspect that could define their confrontation at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 19-20.
It’s an interesting scenario that they both have a banned move,” Sam Roberts explained. “Kevin Owens has the Piledriver, Randy Orton has the punt kick. So, is it going to be a match where both moves are banned or legal? […] I feel like those moves have to play some kind of part in the way this match is done.
The conclusion of Orton and Owens’ brawl at Rogers Center featured a telling moment when The Apex Predator teased delivering his previously forbidden punt kick, only to be restrained by officials and security personnel. This sequence suggests WWE may be positioning the dangerous move for a significant role in their WrestleMania storyline.
Some fans have questioned the match’s placement on the WrestleMania card, particularly after Owens’ Unsanctioned Match with Sami Zayn at Elimination Chamber. However, Roberts sees the banned moves element as a compelling hook for their confrontation.
The history between the two competitors traces back to November on SmackDown, when Owens executed the Package Piledriver on Orton, forcing him out of action for months. Orton wasted no time seeking retribution upon his return at Elimination Chamber.