by Randy Orton was out of television for 18 months due to back injury. He made his return to WWE during WWE Survivor Series 2023. Randy was a free agent, as he was unavailable during draft.
Nick Aldis and Adam Pierce both wanted Randy Orton on their show. Nick Aldis said that he could give an opportunity to take revenge on The Bloodline. Randy was happy with that offer, so he signs with SmackDown.
Eric Bischoff recently on his 83 Weeks podcast talked about Randy Orton. Eric Bischoff thinks Randy Orton is the purest sports entertain in the last 30 years .
“I think Randy Orton is the purest sports entertainer, professional wrestler, whatever you choose, in the business in the last 30 years. Other than Shawn Michaels, is there anybody smoother than Randy Orton? You go back and watch any of his matches, go back to 2003 or 2005, whenever it was that he debuted in WWE…watch him closely in his matches. His positioning is flawless. His timing is flawless. His execution is flawless. Forget about everything else that’s going on in the ring, and focus on nothing but his facials. What is doing with his face? What is he doing with his eyes? When he’s selling? When he’s on top, when he’s aggressive? He is the purest form of [a] professional wrestler that I think I’ve seen in the last 30 years
“He’s flawless. He is the wrestling definition of smooth. I’m so happy to see him back. I hope Randy rides this out for as long as Randy chooses to ride it out. I don’t think he needs the bread, he’s doing it out of passion. I think he’s doing it to end his career on a high note, the way he wants to end it. I have tons of respect for anybody that puts themself in a position to end their careers the way they want to end them. Admirable quality in my book. I’m just hoping for the best for Randy. I hope, however long this run is, whether it’s a month, two months, six months, a year, five years, whatever it is, I hope it ends exactly the way Randy wants it to end, and I hope people recognize Randy for the amazing talent that he is,” (H/T: Fightful)
