It's been months since we've heard anything definitive about Randy Orton's WWE status, with the former WWE Champion sidelined for well over a year now.
The last time we saw The Viper in the ring was over a year ago when he and Matt Riddle lost the RAW Tag Team Championships in a match against The Usos on SmackDown. There had been rumblings at the time Orton might be dealing with a nagging back injury, and he was written off television after a storyline attack by Roman Reigns.
Original plans called for Orton to challenge the Head of the Table for the title at SummerSlam, making him the latest in a long list of Superstars who would have failed to overthrow Reigns.
While we've previously heard that WWE wanted Orton to come back and turn on his former tag team partner, his father later claimed that doctors have told him not to wrestle (the moment to reunite and then break up RK-Bro has also arguably passed).
Well, it's now being reported that the 14-time WWE Champion is finally prepping to step back into the ring, with those in WWE initially wanting him to do so as soon as next month's Money in the Bank PLE in London, England. However, SummerSlam looks more likely for The Viper's return given what a huge show that will be.
Randy reportedly underwent back fusion surgery last November, and after "Cowboy" Bob Orton's remarks, it was starting to sound like that could be it for him.
It would be a terrible shame for Orton's career to reach a premature end, though he's clearly determined to continue wrestling. If we had to book his return, then it would be to attack Cody Rhodes and set the stage for a feud between the former allies, especially if the American Nightmare isn't winning a world title until WrestleMania.
We'll keep you updated as more details are revealed.