WWE News: Very Latest on Randy Orton Injury and the Timetable for His Return

The WWE suffered a big blow last week when it was announced that Randy Orton had suffered a back injury that could cause him to miss a significant amount of ring time. 

The interest thing about Orton’s injury, though, is that there are a number of conflicting reports out there. Some fans are speculating that the injury is being exaggerated, while others believe that it may not exist at all. 

So, just what exactly is going on with Orton? 

Here is the very latest on “The Viper,” courtesy of SEScoops.com: 

"

According to a well placed source in WWE, there is a lot of misinformation out there regarding Randy Orton’s injury. The WWE website reported that company physician Dr. Michael Sampson examined Orton this week and found Orton’s back has a herniated disc. 

Our source stated, “Randy might be back for the Royal Rumble, or he might not be back before WrestleMania. Orton is weighing his options carefully, and Vince wants to make sure Randy isn’t rushing back into the ring just for the WrestleMania payday. Vince has a long term investment in Randy, and he already has his three main events locked in for WrestleMania.”

"

I read that first, then I read this: 

"

While WWE’s website is still saying Randy Orton will be sidelined for just a few weeks, Wade Barrett continued to cut promos at this week’s SmackDown live events saying Randy Orton would be out for 6 months. 

"

While this is just pure speculation on my part, my guess is that Orton does indeed have a minor injury (although more likely just some aches and pains). This allows him to be off TV and house shows for a while, get some much-needed rest and then be a “surprise” entrant (probably No. 30) during this year’s Royal Rumble match. 

It almost makes too much sense to me. 

After all, if Orton was really injured that badly before last week’s Smackdown tapings, I doubt he would have competed in that match against Wade Barrett on Friday’s Smackdown. There’s just no way that WWE officials were going to risk Orton suffering further injury by having him thrown down the stairs like that. 

This is all a work. This is all part of a storyline. 

Orton gets injured by Barrett, Barrett brags about it and says that Orton is going to miss Wrestlemania, Barrett eliminates a ton of competitors during the 30-Man Royal Rumble match and then Orton returns at No. 30 to eliminate Barrett and likely win the match. 

The Royal Rumble takes place in Orton’s hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, Orton doesn’t appear to be injured all that badly and Barrett keeps bringing up Orton’s name during house shows. 

This is a classic set up for the baby face to get injured by the heel and then return during the Royal Rumble to eliminate the heel. 

We’ve seen it before, and we’ll see it again—and, by again, I mean in a few weeks at the 2012 Royal Rumble.