Randy Orton is looking for a lightened WWE schedule, a report in the wrestling observer newsletter states. (I didn't write this and I am not subbed to WON to check whether or not this is true.)

The story first emerged when Ric Flair mentioned it on his podcast, noting that Orton is after the old Shawn Michaels schedule. He’d work for a while, then have lots of time off. He wouldn’t do a ton of shows, especially avoiding house shows.

The thing is, Orton is only 35. Michaels was a veteran when he had that part time deal from 2002 – 2010. But the observer report points out “That’s one of the perks of his making so much money over the past decade, in the sense he is probably set financially.”
Orton was main eventing for WWE as far back as 2003, when he took part in SummerSlam’s Elimination Chamber match. He’s easily been making over a million dollars a year for a decade now. He could just quit if he didn’t get the lighter schedule, giving himself leverage against WWE.

Orton has already been benefiting from lots of time off this year. He had a several week vacation and some weekends off work. If you look at his Twitter, you can see he is loving his life away from the ring. He even adopted a rescued dog.

As for WWE, to an extent, maybe it suits them to have Orton taking regular breaks. It keeps him fresh and serves as something to look forward to when he is there. It isn’t as if they have a bundle of creative for him, he is still a top star but he isn’t a priority.

Shawn Michaels was 37 when he got the same deal, so let's not pretend like this is too much for Orton to ask.

Orton has been in the title picture for what, 11 years now? He is absolutely a veteran in his own right.

I think if Orton wants 3 months off a year you would be FINE giving it to him. It might set a bad precedent though. I can't imagine Cena, for example, being off TV for 3 months would be good.

I was gonna' say, Shawn was still younger when he returned to the WWE then lol. They probably mean, really, that Shawn was a larger name perhaps?

Creative wise, I hardly notice he's there anyway. He's never booked to do anything now than to show up in a tag match, stand on the apron for 90% of it, get tagged in, RKO everyone and get the victory. That's it.

Well Shawn had already retired due to his back not allowing him to move at some points in his original run so I think he was arguing from an entirely different position.

WWE is better off using Orton part time anyway. That's a win-win.