Is Randy Orton really injured? The truth revealed following WWE SmackDown incident
During the latest episode of WWE SmackDown, Randy Orton called out Kevin Owens, seeking vengeance for KO’s actions at Crown Jewel. The Prizefighter wasted no time and a brawl quickly broke out, culminating in Owens delivering a devastating piledriver to The Legend Killer.
Following the move, Orton lay motionless, with his hands visibly shaking, prompting immediate concern. Medical personnel stretchered Orton out of the arena and transported him to a hospital. Cody Rhodes even rushed to be by The Viper, further fueling speculation about the seriousness of his condition. This incident has sparked curiosity among fans about the legitimacy of Orton’s injury.
As of now, it’s widely believed to be part of a storyline. Fans had already speculated after Crown Jewel that Orton might be written off television, and this week's events seem to confirm those predictions. The 14-time world champion is known for his exceptional ability to sell injuries, particularly after post-match beatdowns.
So the shaking hands could simply be another example of his commitment to selling the move. Additionally, the piledriver move has already been banned in WWE. Hence, using piledriver in this context strongly suggests a storyline angle rather than a legitimate injury.
WWE has not yet provided an official update on Orton’s condition. The company will likely announce a kayfabe injury to explain his absence from television in the coming weeks.
When Randy Orton is expected to return if he gets written off from television
Following the incident, Michael Cole confirmed during commentary that there is no update yet regarding Randy Orton’s condition. However, WWE is expected to provide a medical update on the Legend Killer via their official website. If Orton is indeed written off television, fans could anticipate his return after Survivor Series: WarGames.
The next PLE, Survivor Series: WarGames, is scheduled to take place at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on November 30, 2024. Writing Orton off now would give WWE a plausible storyline reason for his absence from this event.
Looking ahead, when Orton does return post-Survivor Series, it could set the stage for an intense rivalry with Cody Rhodes heading into Royal Rumble 2025. The Viper might come back as a villainous character, attacking The American Nightmare to kick off their feud.
However, if he does return as a babyface, Orton and Owens could go at it once again, this time possibly in a match with stipulations.
It will be intriguing to see how this storyline develops over the coming weeks, particularly in light of the recent events on SmackDown. Fans will be eager to learn how WWE plans to handle Orton’s absence and eventual return.