WWE Rumors on Randy Orton at Fanatics Fest, Nikki Bella's Injury Return, Matt Cardona

Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.

Orton Reportedly Expected in NYC for Fanatics Fest

Legendary WWE Superstar Randy Orton reportedly may be in the same city where Saturday Night's Main Event is taking place this weekend.

According to WrestleVotes on Fightful Select (h/t Derek Holloway of Ringside News), Orton is expected to be in New York City this weekend for Fanatics Fest despite his scheduled autograph signings and photo opportunities getting canceled.

Orton getting pulled from Fanatics Fest in an official capacity led to speculation that he would not be in town, but that reportedly may not be the case.

If Orton is indeed in NYC, then it could be a sign that WWE intends on utilizing him on Saturday Night's Main Event, which is set for Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

In the likely main event of the show, Cody Rhodes is teaming with WWE champion CM Punk against Sami Zayn and Gunther.

Orton was last seen on WWE programming at WrestleMania 42 when he lost his WWE Championship match against Rhodes in the main event of Night 1. Following the defeat, Orton hit Rhodes with a punt to the head.

Rhodes could be in The Viper's crosshairs once again when he returns, although Orton could also target Punk since he is the reigning WWE champion.

Punk vs. Rhodes for the WWE title has already been announced for SummerSlam, but if Orton returns and involves himself in the storyline, then he could potentially throw a wrench into those plans.

Latest on Nikki Bella's Injury Recovery

After missing the past four months with an ankle injury, WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella's return reportedly could be on the horizon.

According to WrestleVotes on Fightful Select (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News), Bella is "progressing towards a return," and her name has been "mentioned creatively" in recent weeks, which is a sign that her absence may not last much longer.

Nikki was originally slated to team with her twin sister, Brie Bella, in a Fatal 4-Way tag team match for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania.

However, she injured her ankle during a tag team bout against Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss in late March, and she was not cleared in time to compete at WrestleMania.

In her place, Paige returned to WWE and wrestled her first match for the company since 2017, winning the women's tag team titles with Brie.

Brie and Paige have had several successful defenses since then, and at Saturday Night's Main Event this weekend, they will put the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships on the line against Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid of Fatal Influence.

It is unclear just how close Nikki is to returning, but SNME would be a great spot for her to return since she could potentially help even the odds by taking out the third Fatal Influence member in Jacy Jayne should she attempt to interfere.

WWE's Reported Internal Hopes for Cardona

Matt Cardona has gone by his real name since returning to WWE back in January, but multiple people within the company reportedly remain hopeful that he will revert back to his Zack Ryder persona eventually.

According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select (h/t Felix Upton of Ringside News), some people backstage in WWE wanted Cardona to go back to the Ryder name since it already had equity with the WWE audience.

A WWE source told WrestleVotes that "a lot of" people involved with the creative process were pushing for the Zack Ryder name and gimmick, but it is believed that Cardona himself wanted to go with the Matt Cardona name.

For the vast majority of his first run with WWE, which lasted from 2005 to 2020, Cardona was known as Zack Ryder.

He enjoyed plenty of success under that name, winning two tag team titles, one United States Championship and one Intercontinental Championship.

After Cardona's release from WWE, he became a force on the independent scene under his real name, and he was widely recognized as the biggest star in all of independent wrestling.

Given that he raised his profile so significantly, it is understandable why Cardona desired to return to WWE with a different name and character.

Cardona has not been a featured performer since returning to WWE, though, and he has recently been involved in some backstage segments with Danhausen.

On one occasion, Cardona accidentally got shocked, which resulted in him using some of his old Zack Ryder catchphrases.

It is unclear if that will eventually lead to him becoming Zack Ryder again, but there is reportedly support within WWE for that coming to fruition.