Projecting Randy Orton's Future WWE Feuds Upon Return from Injury

WrestleMania 32 will feature the best of a patchwork WWE roster plagued by injuries to major stars like John Cena, Seth Rollins and Randy Orton.

The silver lining in the bleak picture painted by a hobbled roster will be the influx of returns that will define WWE's otherwise lackluster post-WrestleMania schedule.

Fox Sports Radio 1340 (h/t Marc Middleton of Wrestling Inc.) recently tweeted that Orton will return to television next month after saying he needed shoulder surgery back in January.

On pace to return soon, Orton is in an enviable position. He'll be the first of what will be many returns that will have to be strategically spaced out in order to prevent WWE's already jaded fanbase from "comeback burnout."

Orton will also get first crack at a large pool of quickly developing talent, many of whom are one great feud away from permanently shedding the "up-and-comer" role.

Kevin Owens

Orton and Owens have a brief history, but it's an entertaining one. Each is a polished performer, so it was no surprise that the two have good in-ring chemistry—most notably during a match on Raw in July of 2015.

Orton has a long history of injuries, and it's fair to question just how many years he has left in professional wrestling. WWE cannot afford to waste Orton in throwaway feuds. Owens represents the perfect example of a fresh face the promotion is invested in—one who could benefit from working with a pro like Orton.

Assuming Owens is still intercontinental champion post-Mania, Orton's desire to defeat Owens for that championship would only bolster its prestige.

Owens is the first intercontinental champion in quite some time who seems legitimately proud to be champion. Monday on Raw, Owens concocted a sinister plan designed to successfully defend the title against a questionable pool of talent at WrestleMania.

Though the plan did not work, it showed Owens' dedication to holding on to the title. Defeating a future Hall of Famer like Orton with the title on the line would have a similar effect.

Bray Wyatt

WWE's chief priority following its biggest show should be to re-establish The Wyatt Family.

Possibilities of a Bray Wyatt-Brock Lesnar feud have been dangled before fans for months with no real payoff. If that pattern persists, Orton would make for a fine consolation prize.

Orton as the contemporary wrestler is the perfect foil for the dark, supernatural antics of The Wyatt Family. Both are third-generation wrestlers, but an intriguing storyline could highlight Wyatt refusing to embrace his family ties, while Orton is proudly defined by them. 

Wyatt makes for the most competitively and creatively fulfilling opponent Orton could ask for. And Orton could be the key to Wyatt's resurgence.

Roman Reigns

If the vocal minority gets its wish and Reigns turns heel, there are few babyfaces who will be able to drive the point home better than Orton.

Orton as the first opponent for a heel Reigns would be valuable to The Big Dog, especially as a world champion. The two have worked together in the past, and there would be nothing stopping them from putting together an enjoyable feud.

Orton was Reigns' first singles opponent at a pay-per-view. The two went on to have a good match at SummerSlam in 2014. With Reigns enjoying two more years as a singles performer and a new dynamic, Orton just may be a prime opponent regardless of who's the heel.

Brock Lesnar

There's no mandate that Orton must feud with up-and-comers. Lesnar vs. Orton is a dream match, and to this day, fans have never seen these two compete against each other in their primes.

The Viper character has never stepped in the ring with The Beast, and given the combined athleticism of the two, this match would have the potential to be an all-time classic.

Orton-Lesnar is a match that could be the main event of any of the big four pay-per-views or even serve as the special attraction during a WWE Network live special. Besides, it would be a shame if Orton retired without ever having a proper match against a man who could prove to be his greatest foe.

Alfred Konuwa is a Featured Columnist and on-air host for Bleacher Report. LIKE him on Facebook and listen to him on WrestleZone Daily.

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