WWE News: Latest Update on Randy Orton and His Return to the Ring

The WWE has suffered a rash of injuries over the last several months, with guys like Alberto Del Rio, Rey Mysterio and Christian all being bitten by the injury bug. 

But the biggest superstar to go down is none other than “The Viper,” Randy Orton. 

Orton has been out of action since last month due to a herniated disc in his back, and there has been all sorts of speculation about how and when he will return. 

That’s not going to stop here, either, as we have the latest on Orton’s upcoming return to the ring. 

From PWInsider.com (via WrestleZone.com): 

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PWInsider.com is reporting that Randy Orton was originally set to return next week at the Raw SuperShow in Phoenix, AZ, however his return has been bumped up.

WWE recently canceled its live event set for this Sunday night in College Station, TX, and instead several members of the Smackdown crew will work the Raw event that night in Las Cruces. Randy Orton is one of the names that has been added to that lineup. 

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I still don’t see the benefit in bringing Orton back unless it’s at a major pay-per-view, preferably the Royal Rumble. 

I guess having him return at a live event is fine, but it does take away from the illusion that Orton is seriously injured (thanks to Wade Barrett’s attack) and will make fans wonder why he’s competing at house shows but not on TV. 

If the WWE is going to bring Orton back this Sunday, that could be a pretty solid indication that he may return to TV on Monday’s Raw. I’m guessing that the WWE’s way of thinking is that they want Orton to return beforehand because fans will be more likely to buy the Royal Rumble pay-per-view if they know Orton’s on it. 

I’m of a different field of thought, though. 

With the Royal Rumble taking place in Orton’s hometown of St. Louis, it just makes sense to have Orton return in front of his hometown fans during the Rumble match. 

I’m not saying that Orton has to return during the Royal Rumble, but I think it would be wise to hold off on the return of such a major superstar until it can truly be meaningful. 

And it will be most meaningful at the Royal Rumble.

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