Plans for Randy Orton's WWE return finally revealed after long hiatus - Reports (Exclusive)

Randy Orton has been out of action since November 2024 after Kevin Owens injured him with a Package Piledriver. A new update has emerged about his WWE return plans.

On WrestleVotes Radio on Backstage Pass, JoeyVotes and TC briefly touched upon the impending return of Randy Orton, who has been enjoying the holiday season with his family. While he isn’t expected to return for RAW’s premiere on Netflix, he could be a deciding factor in the Cody Rhodes-Kevin Owens Undisputed WWE Championship Ladder match at Royal Rumble on February 1.

JoeyVotes stated on the show that Randy Orton was expected to be back in WWE either at or around Royal Rumble. Whether that means he enters the Men’s Rumble match or interferes in the Undisputed WWE Title Ladder bout, he could be back just in time for the start of the Road to WrestleMania 41.

Kevin Owens broke character when speaking about Randy Orton

Although Kevin Owens is having another incredible run as a villain on Friday Night SmackDown, there’s no question over what his real-life relationship with The Viper is like.

Speaking to Mail Sport, Kevin Owens broke character to reveal how much he respected Orton off-screen.

“As far as Randy goes, there is no one in WWE that I respect as much [as] I respect Randy. That is not a knock on anyone else, that is just a credit to how much I respect Randy Orton,” he said. [H/T: Daily Mail]

Owens went on to call Orton a highly positive influence on the WWE locker room. He disclosed that people are on their toes when The Viper is around because they want to earn his respect. Meanwhile, Orton has highlighted in the past how rewarding it feels to work with younger talents.

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