A former multi-time world champion is expected to return at this weekend’s Survivor Series event after a long time away from WWE television.
Team Cody Rhodes, which also consists of Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn and Jey Uso, has one spot open to take on the four Judgement Day members (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh) and Drew McIntyre.
There has been a lot of speculation who the final member of Rhodes’ team could be, precision with excitement in particular over two names who have not been seen on WWE screens for some time.
CM Punk has been linked with a WWE return, following his tumultuous exit from rival promotion All Elite Wrestling back in September.
However, Fightful Select as per Bleacher Report, have claimed that WWE have been planning for Randy Orton to make his return at Survivor Series as part of Team Rhodes.
Randy Orton is reportedly expected to make his WWE return at this weekend’s Survivor Series
Orton is set to be part of Team Cody Rhodes in the men’s War Games match on Saturday
Orton (centre), who previously teamed alongside Rhodes (right) as part of the Legacy stable in the late 2000s, has been off television with a back injury since May 2022
It’s claimed that WWE intends on revealing Orton as the fifth member before Survivor Series, rather than make it a surprise during the event on Saturday.
This is due to the event being held in CM Punk’s hometown of Chicago, and to avoid any potential fan disappointment.
Punk, who was fired by AEW in September after a backstage brawl, has not been on WWE television since he walked out on the company back in January 2014.
Monday’s episode of RAW takes place in the same arena where Orton last competed in 2022 – at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan – so could be the perfect location for the 43-year-old to return to television.
Orton has been sidelined with a back injury since May 2022, with his last match coming in a losing effort in a tag team match alongside former WWE star Matt Riddle against the Usos.
Orton’s return could be announced before the show to prevent any potential disappointment from fans due to Survivor Series being held in CM Punk’s hometown of Chicago
He underwent lower back fusion surgery last November and doctors reportedly advised him that it ‘isn’t a good idea’ to continue his in-ring career.
It is the longest injury lay-off Orton has had in his WWE career which stems over two decades.
He is one of the most successful wrestlers in the company’s history, winning the WWE Championship on ten occasions and the World Heavyweight Championship four times.
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