Backstage update on Randy Orton's WWE status (Exclusive)

Modified Feb 12, 2025 02:23 GMT

Randy Orton as seen at a WWE event (Image via WWE.com)

Randy Orton hasn't been seen on WWE television in months. The Viper last worked the November 8 episode of SmackDown. He took a piledriver from Kevin Owens before being stretchered out of the arena.

During a recent episode of Live Q&A on Backstage Pass, WrestleVotes provided a backstage update on Randy Orton's WWE status. The wrestling insider noted that Orton's absence isn't storyline-related.

"I hate speculating on injuries. I don't have anything concrete but I do believe there's something keeping him off TV that's not related to a storyline." [From 12:47 onward]

Randy Orton's WWE return was heavily speculated for Royal Rumble 2025 but it didn't happen. On a previous episode, WrestleVotes noted that the former 14-time world champion wasn't ready to return to TV.

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"I've heard some stuff on Randy that I don't want to speculate, so I don't want to put out there yet. Nothing serious, but I just don't think he was ready to come back to TV yet.

Fans will have to wait to see if Orton returns to WWE on the road to Elimination Chamber 2025.

Get the full episode of Live Q&A with Bill Apter and WrestleVotes on Backstage Pass. You can also unlock our exclusive content via YouTube membership.

About the author

Manik Aftab writes Exclusive articles for Sportskeeda Wrestling’s WWE division. A BA (Hons) in English Literature helped him improve his writing skills before starting his career as a pro wrestling writer.

Before joining Sportskeeda, Aftab worked for Ringside News and The Sportster, where his wrestling articles and feature pieces consistently ranked on the first page of Google SERPs.

He prioritizes accuracy, relevance, and ethics in his reporting by conducting thorough research, verifying sources, and adhering to professional journalistic standards.

While Aftab’s favorite wrestler in AEW is Hangman Adam Page, he doesn’t have a favorite in WWE yet. However, he considers Stone Cold Steve Austin to be the greatest professional wrestler of all time. His earliest memory of watching pro wrestling was when The Rock faced The New Age Outlaws in a handicap match, but it was the John Cena vs. Edge match from Unforgiven 2006 that got him hooked. If given the chance to manage a star from the Attitude Era, he would choose The British Bulldog, as he believes Davey Boy Smith was a terrific worker and could've benefitted from having a mouthpiece for his lack of mic skills.

When not watching pro wrestling, Aftab enjoys reading science fiction and watching anime.

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Edited by Angana Roy