WWE Rumors: Randy Orton, Chris Jericho and Friday's Top WWE News

We are approaching zero hour before the Road to WrestleMania kicks off. There are just six hours of WWE television left before the Royal Rumble, and the buzz about who will win and who might show up is building. 

The Raw go-home show should feature a number of Rumble participants named, because we only know a few at this point. But before we get to that point, we have SmackDown tonight and it is an entertaining show, based on the reports from Las Vegas. 

We will have all the latest news on what to expect from the Rumble and all the other WWE news that is fit to print. 

RANDY ORTON TO BE ANNOUNCED FOR ROYAL RUMBLE ON MONDAY

The worst-kept secret in WWE is that Randy Orton is going to be returning for the Royal Rumble. The only thing we didn't know is whether he would be a surprise participant or actually announced for the match. Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer gives us our answer. 

Question on Everybody's Mind: How much will Orton be able to do in the Rumble?

Our Take: Don't look for him to be in the ring for a long time. His back injury can't be completely healed at this point, so the odds of him doing more than 15-20 minutes in the match are slim. 

Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Voices In My Head

Getting Orton back will be a major coup for WWE, because the shows have been suffering without him and he was doing his best work in the ring before getting hurt. 

Deeper Dive

12 Matches We Need To See At WrestleMania (B/R)

Randy Orton Update (Wrestling Observer - Subscription Required)

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CHRIS JERICHO'S JACKET IS MORE POPULAR THAN HE IS

If you haven't been paying attention to the electric jacket that Jericho is wearing, you are missing out on the best thing in WWE today. He did an interview on Thursday describing the origins of the jacket and said that it is probably more popular than he is. 

Question on Everybody's Mind: Is Jericho right?

Our Take: It's close, but at this stage it is probably true. Fans are mixed on what he has been doing, but the idea that anyone could root against that jacket is ludicrous. 

Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Reasons To Keep Cheering Jericho

Even if Jericho wanted to be the biggest heel in WWE, that jacket would make him so likable that it would be impossible to pay attention to anything he says about us on the microphone. 

Deeper Dive

Chris Jericho Is Back For The Long Haul (B/R)

Chris Jericho Interview (Winnipeg Sun)

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ALBERTO DEL RIO CAN'T RUMBLE

With all the talk about Orton's return to the Rumble, Alberto Del Rio is not likely to be a surprise participant in the match to defend his crown. 

Question on Everybody's Mind: When should Del Rio be back?

Our Take: Considering that he legitimately tore a muscle, he is probably going to need the full length of recovery time. Doctors said it would take about four to six weeks, so look for him to be back around mid-February. 

Hype Meter: 3 out of 5 Personal Ring Announcers

Del Rio was always an entertaining character to me, so the show has been missing something without him on it. Maybe it is just because I like Ricardo Rodriguez doing introductions, but either way something is off with Raw. 

Deeper Dive

5 Bold Predictions For The Royal Rumble (B/R)

Alberto Del Rio's Rumble Status (SEScoops)

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EVAN BOURNE'S SUSPENSION COSTS HIM IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE

When Bourne was suspended for the second time in two months, the general feeling was that he really screwed himself and will likely be used as another Santino Marella character, except without Santino's general hilariousness. But he will miss out on the WrestleMania payday, too. 

Question on Everybody's Mind: When is Bourne going to come back?

Our Take: Unless WWE has a change of heart, he is eligible to come back on March 19th. He could still be fired, though nothing has been made official and McMahon could decide to keep him around to fill out house show cards. 

Hype Meter: 3 out of 5 Reasons To Bury Evan Bourne

Bourne might have his supporters in the audience, but his career and any hope that he had of ever becoming a big star effectively ended when he was buried on Raw last week. He is getting hit hard, in the ring and in his wallet. 

Deeper Dive

Looking Back At The Week That Was In Pro Wrestling (B/R)

News Update On Even Bourne's Suspension (NoDQ)

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Check back for more on the WWE as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Wrestling Page to get your fill of the WWE. For more WWE talk, check out Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics you just can’t miss.

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