There’s a lot of people who are assuming that Randy Orton — who has been off of WWE television for several months now — will be back before WrestleMania next month. There’s been a lot of speculation that Orton will return either at the Fast Lane pay-per-view this Sunday, or the following night’s RAW. Well, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer has reported that WWE may hold off Orton’s return until after WrestleMania, as WWE is considering having Seth Rollins — who was originally scheduled to take on Orton at WrestleMania– face off with Dolph Ziggler.

“They’ve pulled [Randy Orton] from all TV’s. So, I don’t know what the story is. He was supposed to start at TV a couple of weeks ago — he’s ready, he’s worked all of the house shows. But for whatever reason, they’ve decided to hold off his return, and I’m thinking that since he’s not going to work [at Fast Lane] they figure there’s no point in bringing him back now, and maybe they’re going to bring him back after WrestleMania, or they’ll have him do a run-in at WrestleMania.

The original plan was for Orton to be on TV weeks ago, and then he was pulled and he’s not advertised on any TV’s at all up through WrestleMania. So, maybe they’ll setup a big surprise return on TV after Fast Lane, or even at Fast Lane.”

Meltzer also noted that Orton was originally supposed to return on the post-Royal Rumble RAW that was snowed out. Orton himself has told fans at appearances that expects to be back on WWE TV at some point in the near future, and it’s extremely unlikely that he’ll want to miss WrestleMania.

If Orton doesn’t return and face Seth Rollins, the other proposed match for WrestleMania is Seth Rollins teaming up with J&J security [Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury] to take on Dolph Ziggler, Erick Rowan, and Ryback. It’s also possible that Rollins could team up with Big Show and Kane instead of J&J, but WWE is thinking about doing a Big Show vs. Kane match at WrestleMania.

WWE already has two major superstars in The Undertaker and Sheamus, who are set to return after Fast Lane, so it’s possible that WWE wants to wait to bring Orton back until after WrestleMania so they can avoid him being lost in the shuffle. But even though Orton has been pulled from all of his appearances leading up until WrestleMania, people are still expecting him to make his return very soon.

Knowing WWE, they'll scrap the Orton/Rollins thing.

So is Orton like actually injured...or are they like just holding him out just becuz?

I think bringing Orton back now could muddy the waters. Triple H and Sting is set in stone. I think they're going to want to have Rollins do something simple so he can be "a threat" with the MITB at the end of Wrestlemania so a big match with Orton probably doesn't make sense now.

I can't imagine Orton being too thrilled at missing that WM pay cheque...

Orton makes an assload of money tho.

They've no storylines for him that's why he's not on tv I think

^
He left right in the middle of one with Rollins. Obviously he's gonna' come back and feud with him. Rollins have even mentioned him either this week or last.

^^
Since when did someone having a shit ton of money already stop them from wanting more

I WANT TO SEE ORTON

Come on, Mink. Don't tell me you aren't excited to see them standing around holding each other's throats again.

I remember Show and Kane having a match at like the King of the Ring in 1999. Then it was interesting. 16 years later...not so much <_<

realt wrote:

They've no storylines for him that's why he's not on tv I think

He's not on tv cause he filmed a movie then was hurt. He's got the Rollins program from Survivor Series to finish.

Big Show vs Kane shouldn't even be discussed. It's a waste of time to think about and what's the point of having this match happen.. Especially at WrestleMania. I swear to you, I can't wait for Triple H to take over so we won't have to see guys like Big Show, Kane, John Cena, Roman Reigns, Erick Rowan, Mark Henry, Rusev and more of Daniel Bryan, Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler, Hideo Itami, Sami Zayn, Adrian Neville, Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, Cesaro, etc.

^And this is why you aren't part of WWE creative.

^^ Rusev? Roman Reigns? Cena? All three of them are awesome, screw you.

Yeah because Triple H wasn't influential in making Batista the rumble winner. Sweet booking there bro

That's a surprise after all, Last year they didn't advertise him for Raw but he had a match on his return.
Smartass Vince.

Boogey Boy wrote:

^And this is why you aren't part of WWE creative.

Wouldnt talk, you want Rusev to be superman

Not superman, more so a great Heel. Since really WWE only have Seth Rollins and Bray Wyatt as there top active heels.

I could see Rollins doing something simple for WM like that 6 man tag match. Then going for the cash-in only to be stopped by Randy Orton with an RKO OUT OF NOWHERE.