Randy Orton, revered as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, has been conspicuously absent from WWE television since his controversial loss at the King and Queen of the Ring Premium Live Event (PLE). A stalwart in WWE since 2002, Orton is a 20-time champion, including 14 World Championship reigns. Known for his resilience and commitment, The Viper is a guaranteed future Hall of Famer who rarely takes time off from his demanding schedule.
Orton’s recent absence comes from a lengthy layoff due to a back injury. Despite these setbacks, he returned to triumph at Survivor Series PLE in November 2023, teaming with Team Cody Rhodes to defeat Team Judgment Day Since his return, Orton has been a regular at weekly shows and PLE matches, . Although he occasionally claimed lingering pain in his back and knees during games
Recently, Orton competed in a King of the Ring match, struggling with a noticeable taped-up knee. Despite a valiant effort, Orton failed to win the King of the Ring title, losing to Gunther in the finals in a highly controversial match. Orton has not been seen on WWE television since the event, leading to widespread speculation about his status and possible return.
Backstage reports now suggest that Randy Orton is set to make his return on the June 7, 2024, episode of SmackDown. Fans are eagerly awaiting to see how Orton will address his controversial loss to Gunther at the King and Queen of the Ring PLE. Here are some potential scenarios for Orton’s much-anticipated return to SmackDown:
Possible Scenarios for Randy Orton’s Return on SmackDown
- Challenge Gunther to a Rematch: WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H has hinted at a rematch between Orton and Gunther following the controversial finish of their last encounter. Orton could step back into the ring to challenge Gunther to a singles match at an upcoming event, such as Clash at the Castle.
- Continue Feud with The Bloodline: Orton might reignite his ongoing rivalry with The Bloodline, possibly by teaming up with Kevin Owens. Orton has previously declared that he is not done with The Bloodline, and Owens is still entangled in a storyline against them.
- Confront Nick Aldis: Orton could confront Nick Aldis, arguing that the finish of the King of the Ring finals was not clean. He might try to convince Aldis to grant him an Undisputed WWE Championship title shot at SummerSlam 2024.
- Addressing Injury Concerns: Given his recent history of injury, Orton could use his return to address his physical condition and future in WWE. This might include an announcement about his readiness to compete or a storyline revolving around his battle with injuries.
- Unexpected Alliances or Rivalries: WWE is known for its unexpected twists and turns. Orton’s return could lead to new alliances or rivalries that fans did not anticipate, adding an element of surprise to his comeback.
While nothing is officially confirmed yet, fans will be keenly watching SmackDown to see what Randy Orton has in store. His presence always injects a dose of excitement and unpredictability into WWE programming, and his next move is highly anticipated.
