Report: Randy Orton 'Nowhere Close' To WWE Return

Although there were rumours that Randy Orton could make his return to WWE TV at WrestleMania 39, the Showcase of the Immortals came and went without the return of the 14-time world champion, with Orton's exact return date unclear. 

Reports noted following WrestleMania that Orton was, in fact, never in contention to return at Mania and WWE officials reached out to Dave Meltzer as they looked to publicly quash rumours about a possible Orton return at the Show of Shows. 

In an update, Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the severity of Orton's back injury means he is "nowhere close" to making a return to the squared circle. When exactly Orton will be back in the ring on WWE TV is unknown.

Orton has been out of action since he and Matt Riddle dropped the Raw Tag Team Championships to The Usos on the May 20, 2022 episode of SmackDown. There were initially fears that Orton would be forced to retire but he has since ordered new boots for a return. He underwent lower back fusion surgery in late 2022.