Big return being speculated for WWE Royal Rumble 2025

Randy Orton’s anticipated return to WWE could happen at the Royal Rumble on February 1, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Viper has been absent from SmackDown since November 8, following a Piledriver from Kevin Owens that resulted in cervical neuropraxia.

According to WrestleVotes on Backstage Pass, Orton might appear even before the premium live event. His last match took place on October 25 during SmackDown, where he teamed with Cody Rhodes against Imperium’s Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser.

The timing opens possibilities for Orton’s involvement in the scheduled Ladder Match between Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes at Royal Rumble. Another potential scenario involves his appearance at Saturday Night’s Main Event in San Antonio on January 25, WWE’s first special show of 2025.

Matt Riddle reveals Vince McMahon’s unique restriction on Randy Orton

A Crown Jewel 2021 backstage story recently surfaced, highlighting an interesting moment between Randy Orton and Vince McMahon. During his appearance on the Developmentally Speaking podcast, Matt Riddle shared how McMahon prevented Orton from riding a camel during their entrance as RAW Tag Team Champions.

Riddle provided insight into the exchange between Orton and McMahon:

When we were in Saudi Arabia, I rode the camel and Randy said: ‘I want to ride a camel’. I supported: ‘Yes, Randy – put Randy on a camel’. Then Vince said: ‘No’. Randy asked: ‘Why not?’ And he responded: ‘Your character wouldn’t ride a camel.’

The duo successfully defended their RAW Tag Team Championship against AJ Styles and Omos at that event, later experiencing a brief title loss to Alpha Academy before recapturing the championships for their final reign together.