Randy Orton returns on WWE SmackDown
It’s a new year and “The Viper” has returned to WWE.
Randy Orton made a surprise appearance on Friday’s WWE SmackDown, interrupting The Miz who later pitched a tag team with Orton called Miz-KO. Without saying a word, Orton delivered one RKO and then another.
Orton then appeared backstage with WWE Champion Cody Rhodes who welcomed him back. Orton said he had respect for Rhodes and let him when Rhodes defeats Drew McIntyre next Friday in the Three Stages of Hell match, he’s coming after the title.
The 45-year-old has been out of action since the October 3 SmackDown when he and Rhodes lost to The Vision’s Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. He took a curb stomp from Seth Rollins and a Tsunami from Reed to write him off TV for three months, even from making an appearance during John Cena’s final match at December’s Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.