RUMOUR KILLER On Randy Orton's WWE Return

Randy Orton is scheduled to return for WWE at [SPOILER], BUT...

by Andy H Murray
Randy Orton
WWE

Randy Orton is expected back in WWE for Survivor Series 2023 (25 November), though rumours that he is in line to win a major championship appear to be wide of the mark.

Fightful Select reported on Orton and Survivor Series over the weekend. The outlet noted that 'The Legend Killer' and Drew McIntyre are expected to be the "fifth men" on the face and heel sides of the men's WarGames match respectively. In this scenario, Orton would team with Seth Rollins, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, and Sami Zayn against McIntyre, The Judgment Day, and JD McDonagh.

The outlet notes that WWE had tentatively planned to reveal Orton as the fifth babyface team member before Survivor Series, as it doesn't want speculation pointing towards CM Punk.

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It should be stressed, as always, that WWE's creative plans often change. The company may end up pivoting away from McIntyre and Orton, though the duo have been planned for several months.

Elsewhere, Fightful has moved to kill the rumour that Randy is due to win a major WWE Title after returning. This talk stemmed from wrestling Instagram pages, though sources have indicated that such an idea hasn't been broached.

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Orton has been out of action since May 2022, when he was forced to undergo major back surgery.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.