WWE legend Ric Flair has publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the current booking direction of superstar Randy Orton. Despite being a prominent figure in the wrestling industry for over two decades, Orton has seen a decline in his involvement with main-event storylines since his appearances in the King of the Ring tournament. During a recent episode of the Doubl3 Coverage podcast, Flair voiced his concerns regarding Orton’s role in the company.
Flair, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, remarked, “Randy Orton, I mean, he’s third generation. Randy is the best male worker in the company right now. They don’t utilize him the way I would if I was booker, but I’m not.” Despite his critiques, Flair acknowledged Orton’s success, stating, “He’s making a lot of money. He’s doing good. He’s happy. And that’s all that matters.”
Orton made headlines at SummerSlam 2025 when he teamed up with musician Jelly Roll to compete against Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul. His last appearance was on the October 3, 2025 episode of SmackDown, where he and fellow wrestler Cody Rhodes faced off against the tag team known as The Vision. Following this match, Orton was sidelined due to an injury sustained from a Curb Stomp delivered by Seth Rollins, which has kept him out of action for over a month.
Potential Return Date for Randy Orton
Recent updates suggest that Orton may be on the verge of returning to the ring. He is currently advertised to make an appearance at the December 5, 2025 taping of SmackDown in Austin, Texas. This would mark his return to the blue brand after nearly two months away from the ring, signaling a potential shift in his current trajectory within WWE.
As fans eagerly await updates on Orton’s health and booking, the wrestling community continues to speculate on what role he will play upon his return. With his extensive history and skill set, many hope that WWE will find a way to re-integrate the Apex Predator into compelling storylines that highlight his talents.
