Randy Orton’s former partner to make WWE return after 15 years and face Kevin Owens? Exploring potential scenario
Randy Orton will likely be away from WWE for an indefinite period. The horrific attack by Kevin Owens on this week's SmackDown left The Viper severely injured. Orton was taken to a nearby medical facility. Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes accompanied him in the ambulance.
Since Orton will be away from the ring for a while, someone may need to step up and teach KO a lesson. Who could be a better man for the job than Orton's former partner, who recently teased a WWE return? The name in question is Afa Anoa'i Jr. He competed in the global juggernaut as Manu in 2008.
Afa, along with Sim Snuka (son of Jimmy Snuka), was part of Orton's heel group, The Legacy. Their stay in the faction was brief, and they were kicked out of the stable on an episode of RAW in January 2009, a few months after their inclusion.
Both Manu and Sim Snuka were disgruntled with Randy Orton for removing them from The Legacy. Hence, they planned an attack on The Viper on RAW with a returning Ted DiBiase Jr. Cody Rhodes was also asked to join them. However, both Rhodes and DiBiase Jr. ended up assaulting Manu and Sim instead, confirming their loyalty to Orton.
Manu was released from his WWE contract in February 2009. The Legacy then continued as a trio with Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Ted DiBiase Jr.
The Anoa'i family member recently spoke about his potential return to WWE. On Sportskeeda Wrestling's Enter The Bloodline, Manu said he would be interested in a return and would like to work with Rhodes due to their storied history.
"I'd like to get in there with Cody," Afa Anoa'i Jr. said. "Because we have a history together. And [the] last time I've seen [sic] him in the ring, it wasn't too favorable on my end. So, I think we could tell a good story there."
Since Cody Rhodes is involved in the saga between Orton and Owens, Manu can certainly make a comeback and be part of the storyline. The former WWE star could combine forces with The American Nightmare after nearly 15 years to tackle KO on SmackDown while The Viper is on the shelf.
Randy Orton diagnosed with cervical cord neurapraxia
Kevin Owens recently executed a banned piledriver on Randy Orton, leaving the 14-time WWE World Champion in severe pain. He was carried out on a stretcher and then taken to a hospital.
WWE later announced that The Viper was diagnosed with cervical cord neurapraxia, and there was also no timetable for his return. Cervical cord neurapraxia is a temporary neurological deficit that occurs due to trauma to the cervical spinal cord.
With Randy Orton already dealing with back issues, this new injury could shorten his wrestling career. However, this injury seems part of the storyline, and The Viper might not be genuinely hurt.
In Orton's absence, Kevin Owens might shift his focus to Cody Rhodes ahead of Survivor Series: WarGames on November 30. Will the two lock horns for the gold again? Fans must stay tuned to find out.