RKO news outta nowhere! PWInsider Elite is reporting that eventual WWE Hall Of Famer Randy Orton is expected back in the WWE fold next week. The report states that Orton is being flown into Los Angeles for WWE WrestleMania 39 but it is not known at this time whether he will be competing or just attending. It was noted that Orton’s attendance for WrestleMania 39 is being looked at as his return to the road for the promotion.
Orton was taken off TV shortly after retaining the WWE Tag Team Champions with his R-K-Bro partner, Matt Riddle, at WrestleMania 38. Orton mysteriously disappeared thereafter and Riddle dropped their tag titles to The Usos a few weeks later. Fightful Select reported last November that the reason for Orton’s absence was that he required a fusion in his lower back that would keep him out of the ring for an extended period of time. Orton’s wife, Kim, would seemingly confirm the report when she posted a photo of herself and Orton from the hospital.
A return for Orton during WWE WrestleMania 39 week would certainly create a buzz. There aren’t too many big-name dancing partners left at the moment but if Bray Wyatt isn’t able to compete, as Fightful is reporting he’s dealing with a mysterious issue, that would leave Bobby Lashley looking for something to do. It’s hard to argue that the fans in attendance would be upset if the big man came to the ring, jaw-jacked, issued an open challenge, and got dropped by an RKO.
There’s also the Raw after WrestleMania, which has become known for big returns or debuts. Bodyslam reported in December that Riddle had been suspended for 60 days and sent to rehab by WWE for violating their wellness policy. It would seem Riddle’s suspension would be done by now and if Orton is able to return, an R-K-Bro reunion on Raw to confront whoever holds the WWE tag team gold would certainly make sense as well.
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