According to Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Randy Orton may not participate in the 2021 Royal Rumble Match despite having been announced for it.
In the latest edition of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the noted journalist stated that his declaration for the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match was a red herring when it was first announced, designed to throw fans off of the scent of his next bout with ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt on January 31.
“Announced for the Rumble at this point are Bryan, Lashley, Styles, Orton (which was a Red Herring when it was announced but obviously everything is open to change), Otis and Miz. Women announced are Flair, Jax, Belair, Bayley, Rose and Brooke and certainly a strong tease of Baszler”
It has been heavily rumoured since the turn of 2021 that WWE were planning Randy Orton vs. The Fiend in a Firefly Funhouse Match at the second biggest event of the year, but those plans seemed to be put on ice when ‘The Viper’ announced that he would participate in the multi-man brawl.
However, the actions of Orton and Alexa Bliss have certainly pointed to a return of The Fiend in recent weeks. Following the shocking conclusion of WWE Tables, Ladders and Chairs in which Randy burned the body of his nemesis in the middle of the ring, the former WWE Champion also teased doing the same the Bliss on the final Monday Night Raw of 2020.
During the January 11 edition of the red brand show, Randy Orton vs. Triple H was interrupted by a returning Bliss, who struck down ‘The Legend Killer’ with a fireball to the face.
The only other Firefly Funhouse Match in history came at WrestleMania 36, when John Cena entered Bray Wyatt’s weird and wonderful realm before being pinned in the middle of the ring by The Fiend.