WWE: Bad News for Orton
 

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Photo courtesy of WWE.com


Randy Orton has been out of action since last month after suffering a herniated disc in his lower back, leaving Friday Night SmackDown with a big hole in its main event scene.

Sure, guys like Daniel Bryan and Sheamus have stepped up in Orton’s absence, but the WWE just isn’t the same without “The Viper.”

Orton, however, is expected to make his in-ring return at this Sunday’s Royal Rumble and provide a big boost to the blue brand. The only problem is that Orton may be returning before he’s actually ready to.

From F4Wonline.com (via WrestleNewz.com):

Word going around at RAW was that Randy Orton is returning to action from injury sooner than he should.

I do have to say that the WWE is in quite the pickle here, and I’m not completely sure what I’d do in this situation.

On one hand, you don’t want to bring Orton back too soon and risk further injury. It would be a huge blow to the WWE if Orton returned on Sunday, only to reinjure his back and wind up being out past WrestleMania 28.

On the other hand, Orton is one of the WWE’s biggest stars, the Royal Rumble takes place in his hometown of St. Louis and he is one of the favorites to win the Royal Rumble match.

Therefore, WWE officials are kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place: Do you bring Orton back and risk further injury because it makes the most sense booking-wise, or do you find another way to get Orton a World title match at WrestleMania 28?

If I had to choose, I’d probably hold off on Orton’s return until February’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, but I realize that company officials probably want him to compete in his hometown (and possibly want him to win the Rumble, too).

So, I’m thinking that the WWE will indeed have Orton make his in-ring return during the Royal Rumble on Sunday, have him enter late (possibly even at No. 30) and limit what he does in the ring in order to prevent him from reinjuring himself.

In fact, that might be the best situation for all involved.