Backstage update on Randy Orton's potential return date (Exclusive)

Randy Orton hasn't appeared on WWE TV since he took a piledriver from Kevin Owens on SmackDown. The Viper had tried to play peacemaker between KO and Cody Rhodes but to no avail. Now, there has been a backstage update on The Viper.

The 14-time world champion acted as the calmer one in the KO-Cody Rhodes saga. He tried to rationalize with The Prizefighter but did not prevail. The two later got into a heated rivalry that was supposed to come to blows at Bad Blood but the match did not come to fruition. Orton ate a piledriver for his troubles and was ruled out of action for the foreseeable future.

During a recent edition of Live Q&A on Backstage Pass, a fan asked WrestleVotes about Randy Orton's potential return date. He responded to the question with a backstage update.

"By the Royal Rumble, you know, if not on February 1st, it'll be beforehand. So yeah, very soon." [28:33 onwards]

For those unaware, Royal Rumble 2025 will go down at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. WWE has thus far confirmed one title match for their first PLE of the New Year. It will be Cody Rhodes defending his title in a Ladder Match against Kevin Owens.

Both men previously went one-on-one in a title match at Saturday Night's Main Event 2024. The American Nightmare retained his championship only to take a package piledriver from the Prizefighter after the show went off the air. Fans will have to wait to see how their next meeting turns out.

Check out the complete Live Q&A with Bill Apter and WrestleVotes only on Backstage Pass.