As seen during the November 8th 2024 edition of WWE Smackdown, Kevin Owens laid out Randy Orton with a piledriver and the announcers brought up how the move has been banned from WWE for “many” years. Orton has been out of action since the attack.

In an update on Orton’s WWE status, PWInisder.com noted that he is expected back by next month. The current plan is reportedly for Orton to return in time for WWE’s European tour leading up to Wrestlemania 41. Orton vs. Owens currently seems to be the most likely match for Orton at Wrestlemania.

While speaking on Busted Open Radio, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray speculated about Orton appearing at Elimination Chamber…

“If Randy Orton gets involved in a match between Kevin and Sami [Zayn] in Canada, what kind of reaction is that going to get? You think Canadian wrestling fans are going to be pissed off that Randy took Kevin out of the match? Imagine Kevin is beating the s**t out of Sami with a chair on the floor right, and enough is enough and somebody has to do something about it … he’s about to give him the package piledriver on the announce table, Randy Orton’s music hits. Randy will get the pop for making that save, but you have to set it up the right way, that people won’t be mad that Randy’s coming in on a Canadian.” (quote courtesy of WrestlingInc.com)