There’s been more updates on Randy Orton returning to the ring and they’re no better than last time. The Viper has started physical training, is said to be much more muscular, but hasn’t been cleared to wrestle. That means he isn’t even OK’d to take some bumps and see how his back is holding up.
Hope for a Randy Orton Return Moves to Survival Series – Still Nowhere Near Close to Being Cleared for In-Ring Action
As Fightful Select recently reported, those close to Orton note that he’s far from being medically cleared. Rumors of him possibly returning at SummerSlam were floating about around the same time as reports of him not getting the green light to return.
Orton has been out of action since May 2022 when he was written off television after being put through an announce table, losing in a title unification bout to The Usos.
Since then, his tag partner Matt Riddle has soldiered on as a singles competitor. There were expectations of a singles feud between Orton and Riddle for a moment but nothing came of it following Orton being put through the table.
The former Legend Killer would undergo surgery but his doctors seem to believe that the 43-year-old shouldn’t wrestle again.
Given the severity of many neck and back injuries in wrestling, it’s not surprising when physicians instantly give a thumbs down to returning to the same thing that sent the superstar to them.
There’s also WWE creative reportedly having nothing in the works for Orton should he return. It appears that even WWE isn’t fully convinced that he could return and didn’t bother setting him up. That’s just how intensive the surgery and the Viper’s healing period have been. A year of being off television is never good.
This hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from saying Randy Orton could return at Survivor Series. There’s a belief that this is enough time for him to be cleared.
However, if he couldn’t get cleared last month, it’s unlikely he’ll be cleared in less than two months. It’s very wishful thinking—and that’s clearance through WWE doctors.
Do you believe Orton will be cleared for Survivor Series? Or should it be moved to a realistic Royal Rumble return? Do you see the Apex Predator returning at all?
Let us know below!
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