WWE Rumors on Randy Orton's Future, Tiffany Stratton Backlash and Rhea Ripley's Return

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

Reported Timeline for Orton's Return

Randy Orton is reportedly expected to take some time away from WWE following his loss to Cody Rhodes at Crown Jewel on Saturday.

According to WrestleVotes on Fightful Select (h/t Geno Mrosko of Cageside Seats), Orton is not scheduled for the Survivor Series or Wrestlepalooza premium live events, and he is not expected back on WWE programming until after the holidays.

At Crown Jewel, Orton clashed with Rhodes in a highly physical and entertaining Last Man Standing match.

The Viper expressed doubt leading up to the match that Cody would be willing to do what he had to do in order to win the bout.

Rhodes proved him wrong, though, by punting Orton in the head, which kept him down long enough for the 10 count.

Orton's punt has been used to write wrestlers off television many times over the years, so it is fitting that The Apex Predator appears to be on the other end of it this time around.

Since the focus for Survivor Series is on the WarGames matches, which Orton was not going to be involved with, it makes sense to take him out of the equation and give him some time off.

WWE would undoubtedly love to have Orton fresh and healthy for WrestleMania season, so bringing him back for the Royal Rumble and the road to WrestleMania is likely the best course of action to ensure that is the case.

WWE's Reported Reaction to Criticism of Stratton

WWE reportedly isn't concerned with the negative response from some fans regarding Tiffany Stratton becoming the new WWE women's champion.

Stratton surprised many by turning on Chelsea Green at Crown Jewel, as she cashed in her Money in the Bank contract on Green rather than Liv Morgan en route to winning the WWE women's title.

Per Felix Upton of Ringside News, the YouTube video of Stratton cashing in had significantly more dislikes than likes as of Monday.

According to WrestleVotes on Fightful Select (h/t Upton), WWE is perfectly fine with that, though, since the company feels a dislike is "just as good" as a like, "as long as there's an interaction."

Given that Tiffany's cash-in was essentially a heel turn, a strong argument can be made that the dislikes are a positive thing.

While the lines are often blurred in wrestling these days between babyfaces and heels, the traditional goal was always for the heel to be hated by fans.

It is clear that fans are not happy about the cash-in, and while there could be any number of reasons for that, WWE is getting the desired reaction.

Green has become a sentimental favorite among the WWE Universe, and the manner in which she lost the title should only serve to garner her more support, which plays right into the story WWE is attempting to tell.

Ripley's Reported Status for Wrestlepalooza

WWE is reportedly planning to have Rhea Ripley on hand for Wrestlepalooza next month in her home country of Australia.

According to WrestleVotes on Fightful Select (h/t H Jenkins of Ringside News), "all signs indicate" that Ripley will travel with WWE to Australia for Wrestlepalooza, although it isn't yet known if she will be cleared to wrestle by then.

Ripley has been out of action since June due to a knee injury that eventually required surgery.

Rhea was the WWE women's champion at the time of the injury, and while WWE initially sought to crown only an interim champ, her stay on the injured list ended up being a lengthy one, so the interim tag was removed after Green won the title in a ladder match at SummerSlam.

No official update has been provided regarding how longer Ripley may be on the shelf, but having her for Wrestlepalooza in any capacity would be a huge win for WWE.

She is one of the most popular members of the roster anywhere in the world, but that is especially true in her home country of Australia.

Just having her on hand to make an appearance would likely get people in the building, and WrestleVotes' report suggests WWE will indeed have her available.