Randy Orton hasn’t wrestled in almost a year. Last May, Orton and Matt Riddle lost to The Usos in a “Title vs. Title” match. Since then, Orton reportedly underwent back fusion surgery, a serious procedure for the 43-year-old.
Even though he’s training, there is no set timeframe for when Orton returns to the ring. There’s a chance he won’t wrestle again.
Over the weekend, Bill Apter of Sportskeeda interviewed Bob Orton Jr., Randy’s father. In the interview, Bob revealed that doctors told Randy not to wrestle but weren’t sure whether or not Randy would take that advice.
“He’s training, so, we’ll see what happens,” the elder Orton said. “I don’t know if he feels like going back or it feels like he’s ready to go back. I think he might. But then again, he’s pretty well taken care of; I don’t think he needs to. And I think the doctors told him not to. But Randy will do what Randy wants to do.”
Many pro wrestlers, like many athletes, don’t like to be told by doctors that they can’t wrestle again. That doctor probably has a good reason to tell Orton not to come back, and it’s good to tell someone the worst-case scenario, but that might simply fuel Orton’s desire to return. Even if it’s just for one more match.
Then again, Orton has nothing left to prove in pro wrestling. He’s a 14-time World Champion, has just about every WWE accomplishment, and is a future WWE Hall of Famer. Along with the fact he’s got a family, I’m not sure anyone would blame Orton if he didn’t get back in the ring.
