Randy Orton’s absence from WWE television since WrestleMania 42 is due to a significant back injury, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio.
“Back injury. That’s why he’s been gone since WrestleMania and it’s probably why he didn’t win the title. He’s got a back injury and it’s significant. He’s had it for years. It almost ended his career, came back, still there and that’s why he’s been out.”
The injury context reframes what was already a heavily reported story heading into WrestleMania 42. According to Bodyslam and Fightful Select, Orton was internally considered to win the Undisputed WWE Championship at the event, with the decision swinging to Cody Rhodes retaining in the final weeks before the show. Bodyslam separately noted that WWE knew heading in that the feud would continue past WrestleMania, which informed the decision to run a post-match angle rather than a clean finish — Orton attacked Rhodes with the title and delivered a punt kick after the bell.
Orton won the 2026 Men’s Elimination Chamber match to earn the WrestleMania title shot. His build to the match was dominated by a storyline involvement from Pat McAfee, which replaced an earlier creative pitch centered on Aleister Black tormenting Orton and attempting to draw out the old Apex Predator character.
Rhodes retained despite being split open during the match and having his left eye swell completely shut by the final bell. He was placed in concussion protocol after the show.
Orton is a 14-time world champion. He has not appeared on WWE television since WrestleMania 42.
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