Although there were several indications that Randy Orton was on his way back from injury, fans need to temper their expectations as WWE WrestleMania weekend has arrived.
There have been hints that Orton was close to returning, including a recent report that noted there had been internal rumblings about Orton’s WWE status and the company bringing him to Mania in LA. Also, wrestling bootmaker Jose G Sanz stated on social media in February that Orton had contacted him about making boots for his return.
Dave Meltzer mentioned on Twitter after a report that Orton had arrived in LA came out that Orton is far from being cleared to wrestle again after being sidelined since last May and undergoing fusion back surgery late last year.
Just an update on Randy Orton. Don't expect him doing matches any time soon as he's a ways away from recovering from his back issues.
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) March 31, 2023
While speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer noted WWE doesn’t want fans to think Orton is cleared to wrestle again and will return in the next few days.
“This is what I was told. Randy Orton is in town. I was told by WWE that they said it was kinda like, ‘you can put it out,’ it’s not gossip. It was directly told to me that he is not ready to return. They basically said they don’t want people to think that he’s ready to return. So if for some reason that turns out to not be true, I mean, I was told from the very top there that and to put it out. They never lied to me about something this directed, so I presume that’s the case,” Meltzer stated.
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