Update On Randy Orton's WWE Future

Randy Orton seemingly won't be leaving WWE for a long time. 

The 14-time world champion teased in 2019 that he might be leaving the company, only to then sign a new five-year deal with WWE during a period when WWE was throwing money around over fears of talent jumping to All Elite Wrestling. Orton's deal is set to be up in Autumn 2024 but a WWE higher-up has told Fightful Select they "would be surprised" if Orton's contract isn't extended with "injury time."

Orton had been on the shelf for 18 months between May 2022 and November 2023 due to a serious back injury that resulted in back fusion surgery. Orton was actually advised by doctors to retire but the 43-year-old made his return at Survivor Series to defeat Judgment Day and Drew McIntyre inside WarGames. 

If Orton's deal is extended, this would keep him under contract until 2026. There have been some situations where injury time has not been added on to WWE contracts due to talent working in other roles. That didn't appear to be the case with Orton during his time on the injured list, however. 

Following his return, Orton is now officially a part of SmackDown and he looks set to challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at a future event.