Randy Orton has been off WWE TV since October but could be back in time for the 2026 Royal Rumble. Have you missed him?

Randy Orton has been absent from WWE television since the October 3 episode of SmackDown, where he was taken out after taking a Curb Stomp from Seth Rollins and a Tsunami from Bronson Reed. There is still no clear timetable for Orton’s return, though he has publicly stated that he plans to be part of the 2026 Royal Rumble.

WWE took an unprecedented approach to John Cena's retirement by booking an entire tour throughout 2025, starting with Raw's Netflix premiere on Jan. 6 and culminating with a special Saturday Night's Main Event built around his last match.

Randy Orton has been off WWE television since the October 3rd episode of WWE SmackDown when he took a curb stomp from Seth Rollins and a tsunami from Bronson Reed. It is unknown when he will return, but he has said he’ll be part of the 2026 Royal Rumble. Speaking on his Kliq This podcast, Kevin Nash wondered why WWE doesn’t utilize Randy more.

WWE NXT star Joe Hendry has opened up about his match against Randy Orton at WrestleMania and the hectic week he experienced.

Why Randy Orton Wasn't At Saturday Night's Main Event, Unplanned SNME Segments, & More Wrestling News and Rumors

John Cena's final WWE match at Saturday Night's Main Event saw him bid farewell to a crowd that grew up with him. While fans celebrated his historic career, the absence of rival Randy Orton, who was overseas for WWE promotional duties,

Randy Orton sends a message to the fans while doing a promotional spot for WWE Royal Rumble 2026 in Saudi Arabia.