WWE has officially addressed the situation concerning Orton's health, revealing key details about his injury. On the show, Orton was involved in a heated unsanctioned brawl with Kevin Owens, despite attempts from security to separate the two. The fight escalated quickly, culminating in Owens delivering a dangerous piledriver to Orton, a move WWE had previously banned. The impact left Orton motionless on the mat, prompting paramedics to rush to the ring and carry him out on a stretcher, transporting him to an ambulance. In the lead-up to Crown Jewel 2024, Triple H warned Randy Orton that he was trying to protect him, but things took a dramatic turn during the most recent episode of Friday Night SmackDown.
WWE later updated fans on Orton's condition via X (formerly Twitter), revealing that he had been diagnosed with cervical cord neurapraxia, a condition resulting from nerve compression in the neck area. They also mentioned that Orton would be sidelined for an indefinite period as he recovers from the injury. This news has left fans worried about Orton’s health, but it's important to note that this injury is part of the ongoing storyline.
Fans in doubt
The storyline angle has led many to question if Orton is genuinely hurt or if this is simply a way to further the feud between him, Cody Rhodes, and Owens. The injury, while concerning, is likely being used to intensify the rivalry, giving fans something to anticipate as the narrative progresses. WWE often uses injury angles to heighten the emotional investment of fans, making the resolution of the storyline that much more impactful.
As for the future, the creative team’s plans for Orton remain unclear. Fans are eager to see how this development will affect his character and where the storyline will go next. Orton’s dark turn in recent months has seen him become more aggressive and unpredictable, intensifying his feud with Owens. Although the match between Orton and Owens at Crown Jewel was set to be a major event, it was derailed after the two brawled and the match ended in a no-contest.
Following the intense altercation on SmackDown, WWE posted footage of Orton being stretchered out, with Nick Aldis and Cody Rhodes assisting him. The post, which accompanied the footage, was sharply critical of Kevin Owens' actions, with the caption calling for Owens to “be ashamed of himself.”
This storyline is still evolving, and fans will no doubt continue to speculate on how Orton’s injury will play into the bigger picture of the ongoing feuds and rivalries in WWE. The tension between Rhodes, Owens, and Orton is only escalating, and the consequences of this "injury" will likely have lasting effects on the direction of the promotion in the coming months.
