Randy Orton Returns to WWE Programming During 2015 WWE Fastlane PPV

After a brutal beating at the hands of The Authority forced Randy Orton out of action, The Viper returned with a bang tonight at WWE's Fastlane PPV.

WWE captured a photo of his return: 

Orton stormed onto the scene and proceeded to attack Seth Rollins, Kane and Big Show.

After going backstage, WWE's Instagram account posted a shot of Orton: 

WWE's Apex Predator hadn't been seen since the Nov. 3 edition of Raw following his main event match against Seth Rollins. Orton lost that bout and proceeded to attack several members of The Authority. The third-generation Superstar even punched Triple H, who ultimately gave Rollins the go-ahead to Curb Stomp Orton's head on the steel steps.

Following that incident, WWE.com reported that Orton may have suffered a concussion. In actuality, though, the segment was used as a way to temporarily write him off WWE programming so that he could take part in the filming of The Condemned 2, per WrestlingInc.com (h/t F4WOnline).

Orton's inevitable departure from The Authority had been building for weeks due to his issues with Rollins. Mr. Money in the Bank Curb Stomped The Viper on the go-home episode of Raw prior to Hell in a Cell, and Orton responded in kind with an RKO on the Raw following the pay-per-view.

The 12-time world champion took things a step further by hitting Rollins with another RKO during a match against Dolph Ziggler for the Intercontinental Championship. Orton then requested a match against Rollins, which Triple H granted.

In exchange, though, Triple H requested Orton's inclusion on Team Authority against Team Cena at Survivor Series. With The Authority's power on the line, The Game made it clear that he needed The Viper, according to WWE Universe:

The King of Kings got more than he bargained for, though, when Orton decided to go rogue. Rather than continuing to fit a square peg into a round hole, Triple H essentially severed ties with the Apex Predator.

Not only did that make Triple H, Rollins and the rest of The Authority look dastardly, but it also resulted in the fans getting firmly behind Orton.

The execution of his face turn impressed many, including WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley:

Orton's previous run as a face became stale, but his subsequent heel turn failed to move the meter. He simply wasn't good as an obedient disciple of The Authority, and there is no question that he is better as a volatile lone wolf.

The Viper is a total wild card at this point, which became abundantly clear during his highly anticipated return tonight.

WWE wrote Orton off television just when the WWE Universe was starting to back him again, but that proved to be effective since the crowd went wild when he ended his brief hiatus.

It is obvious that the creative team has managed to rekindle the interest in Orton's character, and it must now figure out a way to maintain his momentum in the coming weeks and months.

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