Randy Orton hasn’t appeared on WWE television since May 20th, 2022, and there remains little sign that he will be returning to action any time soon.
Shortly after losing the Raw Tag Team Titles to The Usos and being beaten down by The Bloodline after the match, it was revealed that Orton was taking time off to deal with a nagging back injury. While the star underwent surgery to repair the issue in November, something WWE was initially keen to avoid.
Writing in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer discussed reports that The Viper might not get back in the ring at all. In doing so, Meltzer revealed that Orton is actually the third-best-paid male member of WWE’s roster behind only Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns.
“Orton, 43, has always expressed the idea of wanting to work safely (and he’s got the name value and style where he can get over working safely compared to most smaller guys without the same name value) and go until he’s 50. He is believed to be one of the highest paid guys on the active roster, on the men’s side believed to be behind Reigns and Lesnar and nobody else.”
Doctors Have Reportedly Told Randy Orton Not To Make WWE Return
The speculation around Randy Orton’s future was reignited in recent weeks as the star’s father revealed that he believes doctors have told his son to retire. Cowboy Bob Orton explained that Randy is currently training, and will likely be back if that’s what he wants to do.