Fans haven’t seen Randy Orton perform in a WWE ring in more than a year, but a promising sign this week involved where he’s been seen — and why he might be there.
After a video began circulating Tuesday showing Orton at the WWE Performance Center, Bodyslam.net reported that he had been there training for several weeks. Tuesday night, Fightful Select (subscription required but well worth it), confirmed those reports, with sources telling the outlet that Orton had “been around for quite some time lately.”
As he’s so good at doing, Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp also added some important context:
When a talent shows up or is returning, WWE has had a very strict rule that they have to work out in some capacity. During a recent interview with Cody Rhodes, he’d noted to Fightful that the rule is very real, and even The Undertaker couldn’t avoid doing it when slated for it.
In other words, while Orton working out at the PC doesn’t mean his return is imminent, it’s a step he needs to go through in order to wrestle again.
Orton last wrestled on the May 20, 2022 episode of SmackDown, when he and Matt Riddle lost a winner-takes-all tag team championship match with The Usos. While Riddle initially kept fighting in honor of his “best friend,” mentions of Orton gradually faded from WWE programming over time.
Orton’s father threw some cold water on hopes for a return this spring, suggesting that doctors may have advised Randy to retire following back fusion surgery. Though he’s a surefire WWE Hall of Famer even if he never climbs through the ropes again, there’s little question that if he’s healthy enough to do so, many fans would love to see Orton have one more WWE run before he calls it a career. His presence at the PC is the best sign yet that those wished may turn into reality.