WWE Smackdown: What Does the Randy Orton Injury Mean for WrestleMania XXVIII?

This Sunday night, the WWE Universe will witness two Elimination Chamber matches. Smackdown's edition will be for the World Title. Raw's showcase will be for the WWE Championship.

Thankfully, WWE is coming to Wisconsin this weekend. Thus, I will be at the event live in person tomorrow. Sadly, Randy Orton will not be.

That is what the topic is about.

As WWE.com reported, Randy Orton was removed from the Elimination Chamber due to a concussion. He will not be cleared to wrestle this Sunday.

While most in Wisconsin are likely disappointed with the news, I am not. His health is much more important than "winning" or "losing" a match. Safety comes first, folks!

As for his future, that is a very interesting discussion.

With WrestleMania XXVIII in April, you have to assume he will play a large role in the event. He hasn't had a major match at Mania in the past few years, but I believe that will chance on April 1, 2012.

In 2010, he defeated Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase in a triple threat match. It was a fine story, but Orton beating those two wrestlers meant nothing.

The same can be said about 2011. I loved the CM Punk vs. Randy Orton conflict. It was excellent, but it was ultimately a "filler" feud for both men.

This year, Orton has quite a few options.

As most know, Mr. RKO spent a lot of his time on the Blue Brand losing. It say that in the best way possible because he did right by a lot of men in 2011.

However, that time is over.

With Daniel Bryan being credited for Orton's injury this week, you have to assume there will be some sort of follow-up on that statement. Bryan won't just injure him and continue on...

The next logical step is Randy Orton wanting revenge on Daniel Bryan come WrestleMania time. That would certainly be a great match, and it would have a nice back story.

You have to wonder if the World Title would be involved, though...

Could Orton cause a distraction this Sunday night, allowing Bryan to lose his title? How ironic would it be if Orton ran into the Chamber and gave an RKO to Bryan, while Wade Barrett covered him for the huge victory?

Interesting.

Even if Bryan walks out of the Chamber with the gold around his waist, isn't Sheamus waiting in line next? How would Orton get revenge then?

A triple threat situation at Mania? It would be "messy," but WWE could make it all work. They always seem to pull out all the stops for their biggest event of the year.

What do you folks think? Will Orton cost Bryan his World title this Sunday? Are they even going to feud going forward? Where does Sheamus fit into all of this? Let me know below!

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