WWE News: Latest Update on Randy Orton, His Return and Royal Rumble Status

Randy Orton is going to return to the WWE soon, but up to this point, we haven’t really been sure when that will happen. 

We all know that Orton is out nursing a herniated disc in his lower back, and we all think that he’s likely going to make his in-ring return at the Royal Rumble in his hometown of St. Louis. 

I tend to think that as well, but we’ve seen all kinds of wild rumors and speculation thrown around about Orton possibly not coming back until after the Royal Rumble or even Elimination Chamber. 

Well, it’s time to add another couple of rumors to that list. 

From the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (via SEScoops.com):

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The latest on Randy Orton’s status is that he will be a participant in next week’s Royal Rumble match. Confirmation of Orton’s involvement in the Rumble is expected on Monday’s RAW. 

"

While I doubt anyone is surprised about the news of Orton’s in-ring return during the Rumble, I am a little bit shocked that the WWE might announce it beforehand. 

Why reveal that Orton’s going to return and spoil the surprise? It just seems like it would make more sense to hold off on any mention of Orton until his music hits at the Royal Rumble. 

Apparently, though, Orton might actually come back on a taped show. 

From WrestlingInc.com: 

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Randy Orton will face Wade Barrett in a Street Fight in his return match from injury. Orton will face Barrett at a house show in Sunday in Las Cruces, New Mexico and the Silver City Sun-News newspaper listed the match in its updated line-up. Orton is set to make his televised return next week at the SmackDown tapings. 

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I don’t get that. At all. 

It seems like a dumb idea to waste Orton’s return on free TV, much less a show that’s taped and doesn’t air until three days after the fact. 

I guess the creative team wants to build up Orton’s feud with Wade Barrett a little more before the Rumble pay-per-view, but maybe it’s just me who thinks that the company would be best served having Orton come back unannounced. 

Those kind of surprises almost always work out.

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