Randy Orton Reveals Extent of Debilitating Injuries Before 18-Month Hiatus

Randy Orton commands respect not only from wrestling enthusiasts but also from every single wrestler in WWE and beyond, even if some people don’t necessarily like him. He was absent from WWE television for 18 months and has now revealed the extent of his debilitating injuries before his hiatus.

The Apex Predator made his triumphant return to WWE television during the Survivor Series Premium Live Event last year. Prior to that, he was sidelined for 18 months due to a debilitating back injury. Before his official hiatus, Orton was in significant distress. While he was part of the team “RK-Bro” with Matt Riddle, he struggled considerably.

While speaking to the Daily Mail, Randy Orton recalled being so limited that it took almost all his strength just to get to the ring. He described this challenging period in his career. Orton shared that during the last year he teamed with Riddle, he was in such poor condition that it was difficult to even stand on the apron. When tagged in, he could barely manage a comeback or deliver an RKO, which were minimal accomplishments given his physical state.

Orton expressed deep gratitude towards Riddle, acknowledging that Riddle’s ability to take the bulk of the punishment in their matches helped Orton extend his career despite the severe lower back injury and the wear and tear accumulated over the years.

”I was in such bad shape, man, that last year or so that I was teaming with Riddle,” he said. “It was everything that I had in me to get out there and even stand on the apron, and when he tagged me in, I’d come in, I’d blow a comeback, maybe hit an RKO, but that was about all I could physically accomplish … So Riddle, I owe Riddle a lot, man, he’s a good dude, because of him going out there every night and taking the brunt of the punishment in those matches, I was able to extend my career longer than it should have went with that injury that I had in my lower back, and that was just wear and tear over the course of about a decade. It was bad all through my 30s.”

The Apex Predator is deeply thankful for his time in WWE and the fresh start he’s received after recovering from injury. However, Randy Orton is now concentrating on his World Title match against GUNTHER at Bash in Berlin. It remains to be seen how he will perform in this highly anticipated bout.

Do you have more respect for Randy Orton for bearing with so much pain before he inevitably had to take time off due to injuries? Sound off in the comments section below!