According to legendary wrestling journalist Bill Apter, Randy Orton would be a "really good" commentator if he cannot return to WWE as an in-ring competitor.
Due to a back injury, Orton has not wrestled since teaming up with Matt Riddle in a losing effort against The Usos in May 2022. His father, WWE Hall of Famer Bob Orton Jr., recently revealed that doctors have told his son not to get back in the ring.
On Sportskeeda's The Wrestling Time Machine, Apter said the 14-time WWE world champion would be well suited as a heel announcer:
"Even becoming a commentator, I think he would be really, really good. I've heard him sit in the commentator's booth on guest appearances sometimes. Very intelligent, he's got that attitude, he's got that heel commentator attitude." [5:34 – 5:48]
A top AEW star just called one of his colleagues 'spoiled' and 'narcissistic' HERE.
Kevin Patrick and Corey Graves currently call the action every Monday night on RAW, while Michael Cole and Wade Barrett are the SmackDown commentary duo.
Watch the video above to hear more from Bill Apter, Mac Davis, and Teddy Long on Randy Orton's WWE future.
Bill Apter on WWE fans' possible reaction to Randy Orton returning
Before his injury, Randy Orton was enjoying arguably one of the best spells of his WWE career alongside his RK-Bro tag team partner Matt Riddle.
If Orton ever returns, Bill Apter expects him to receive the kind of reception that fans gave Hulk Hogan during The Hulkster's prime:
"Randy, in my opinion, if he comes back, he's gonna get that pop, like a Hogan pop. They miss him. Everybody loves Riddle, of course, but it's kind of like he's missing his other half." [6:03 – 6:21]
In recent weeks, Riddle has found new allies in the form of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. The trio defeated Giovanni Vinci, Gunther, and Ludwig Kaiser on this week's RAW.
Would you like to hear Randy Orton as an announcer? Let us know in the comments section below.
Please credit Sportskeeda's The Wrestling Time Machine and embed the video if you use quotes from this article.