Backstage news on Randy Orton’s Wrestlemania 41 plans

Randy Orton is reportedly set to return to WWE in time for WrestleMania 41, following a prolonged absence due to injury.

According to PWInsider Elite, WWE officials expect Orton to be back in March, aligning with the company’s “Road to WrestleMania” European tour.

Orton has been out of action since November after sustaining a cervical cord neurapraxia, following a piledriver from Kevin Owens. WWE later confirmed the injury, which has kept “The Viper” away from the ring.

If he returns as planned, Orton will compete at WrestleMania 41, marking his 19th appearance at WWE’s biggest annual event. This would further cement his place behind Triple H (23 appearances) and The Undertaker (27 appearances) in all-time WrestleMania matches.

PWInsider reports that a potential match against Kevin Owens is the current plan for Randy Orton at Wrestlemania 41. Owens, who is currently set to compete in an unsanctioned match against Sami Zayn at Elimination Chamber, previously shared an alliance with Orton heading into WrestleMania 40.

The two helped Cody Rhodes combat The Bloodline, but Owens later turned on Orton at Bash in Berlin, leading to Orton’s injury.

Orton has only missed two WrestleMania events since his debut at WrestleMania 20 in 2004, sitting out in 2016 and 2023. If he makes his return as expected, he will once again be part of WWE’s marquee event, continuing his legacy as one of the company’s top superstars.

WrestleMania 41 is scheduled for 19-20 April in Las Vegas, Nevada, and with Orton’s potential return, anticipation continues to build for the event.