If you are hearing pro wrestling voices in your head, they are probably telling you that Randy Orton is looking poised for a return to WWE. It’s been over a year since Orton and his RK-Bro tag team partner Matt Riddle lost a “Winner Takes All” match to The Usos, who unified the titles into the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships. Shortly after the loss, Riddle announced that Orton was injured, and it was later revealed that The Viper was undergoing back fusion surgery. While Orton has been away from the ring, rumors have swirled regarding his future as a performer.
It looks like good news is on the horizon for fans of the former Evolution member, as Wrestle Ops shared a video yesterday showing him walking into the WWE Performance Center.
Bodyslam.net reports that Orton has been at the WWE Performance Center for three weeks, and his tour bus has been a “weekly constant” during his time there.
Fightful adds that he has gotten “huge” while working out in the gym but had not been working out in the ring until early August. While many speculated he would not return to action following back surgery, Orton was apparently adamant throughout his recovery that he would be. It was also noted that WWE has a very strict rule when it comes to when a talent is returning: They have to work out in some capacity. This goes for all talent at every level, as Cody Rhodes told Fightful that even The Undertaker was forced to comply with the requirement.
Orton returned to the WWE fold earlier this year when he attended WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles. At the time, Riddle was wrapping up a sixty-day suspension, and there were rumors Orton may reunite with him in some capacity on the show, but, obviously, that did not happen.