Randy Orton's heel turn and feud with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes heading into last month's WrestleMania was hijacked by Pat McAfee. Fortunately, the whole thing wasn't derailed, and Orton vs. Rhodes was a highlight at the Show of Shows.
The end of the match was a little baffling, though, as Rhodes retained the title but was left lying when The Viper hit him with a Punt Kick after the bell rang.
There's been no follow-up since, with Rhodes instead teasing a match with CM Punk and now feuding with Gunther heading into Clash in Italy. As for Orton, he's been missing from television ever since, and we may finally have an explanation why.
Talking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said, "Back injury. That’s why he’s been gone since WrestleMania, and it’s probably why he didn’t win the title. He’s got a back injury, and it’s significant. He’s had it for years. It almost ended his career, came back, still there, and that’s why he’s been out."
It's a real shame if Orton is sidelined for the foreseeable future because of his recurring back issues. Heading into WrestleMania, it was repeatedly rumoured that the plan was for him to win the Undisputed WWE Championship, but if his back worsened, then it might explain why things changed.
Orton has been dealing with chronic back pain for several years and underwent spinal fusion surgery in 2022 after suffering an injury in May of that year, with the operation expected to end his career. He spent 18 months on the shelf before returning at Survivor Series: WarGames 2023, and he's since worked a relatively light schedule.
For what it's worth, Orton has since responded to Meltzer's claim, writing on X:
Hopefully, this means that WWE has just put the pause on the Rhodes/Orton storyline before returning to it later this year. A rematch at SummerSlam seems likely, and while fans have once again warmed to the American Nightmare, there's a very real desire to see Orton with his fifteenth WWE Championship.
Rhodes also needs revenge on Orton for how he was left after the WrestleMania main event, so we're sure WWE will revisit this sooner rather than later. For now, it seems The Viper is relaxing at home while Cody has his hands full with The Ring General.