FILE- In this Sunday, April 3, 2011 file photo, WWE Superstar Randy Orton celebrates defeating CM Punk (not pictured) during WrestleMania XXVII at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia on. World-famous WWE wrestlers such as John Cena, Shaemus and champion Randy Orton are in Saudi Arabia for three days of matches in the capital Riyadh. (Paul Abell/AP Images for WWE, File)Paul Abell/Associated Press

Randy Orton Injury: Updates on WWE Star's Deviated Septum and Return

Mike ChiariDec 31, 2014

Wrestling fans have eagerly anticipated Randy Orton's return to WWE programming, but an injury could prolong his absence by a few weeks.

According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter (subscription required) (h/t WrestlingInc.com), The Viper is dealing with a deviated septum.

Orton is scheduled to undergo surgery in order to correct the nose ailment, and he is expected to need a few weeks in order to recover.

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The 34-year-old veteran has not appeared on WWE programming since getting Curb Stomped by Seth Rollins on the Nov. 3 edition of Monday Night Raw. Orton was written out of WWE storylines so that he could take part in the filming of The Condemned 2.

The 12-time world champion returned to action at a WWE Live Event at Madison Square Garden in New York Dec. 26, as seen in this vine courtesy of WWE's official Twitter account:

Orton has been held off TV, however, and it is possible that his hiatus will last a bit longer. With the 2015 Royal Rumble set for Jan. 25, though, WWE would obviously like to have him back in the coming weeks.

If the estimated recovery is accurate, then The Viper should have an opportunity to become No. 1 contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship by winning the Rumble match.

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