Randy Orton, Kevin Owens Both Nearing WWE Returns

Randy Orton and Kevin Owens are both closing in on their long-awaited returns to WWE television, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Dave Meltzer reports that both men could be back on screen “very soon,” with Orton’s return possibly coming as early as next week.

Orton hasn’t wrestled since losing to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 42 back in April. Commentary during that match pointed to a back issue, though Orton later brushed it off on social media, joking that he was simply taking the summer off before chasing a 15th world title. Meltzer’s report tells a different story, indicating the injury was legitimate and significant enough to scrap WWE’s original plan for Orton to beat Rhodes at WrestleMania.

Meltzer speculated on where Orton could land once he’s cleared, floating the idea that “The Viper” might insert himself into the Undisputed WWE Championship picture — either by rekindling his rivalry with Rhodes or clashing with CM Punk, who is set to defend the title against Rhodes in the Night One main event of SummerSlam. In Meltzer’s words: “Orton and Owens are both expected to be returning very soon, Orton perhaps in the next week… The door was clearly left open to Rhodes vs. Orton at Mania, so I could see Orton screwing Rhodes or Punk to keep the other out of the WWE title picture because there is no reason for him to return now unless it’s to work with one of those two, and Rhodes being the more likely one would think.”

Owens, meanwhile, has been sidelined far longer. His last match came in March 2025, meaning he’s now gone more than sixteen months without competing while recovering from neck surgery — an absence that cost him back-to-back WrestleManias. He’s stayed in the public eye throughout, coaching on Season 3 of WWE LFG and popping up in digital content alongside Sami Zayn, Becky Lynch, and Kit Wilson on Club WWE. Meltzer noted Owens has dropped weight during his rehab, a sign that suggests he’s edging closer to being cleared for in-ring action.

If both returns land the way Meltzer suggests, WWE’s creative team has a rare chance to shake up the top of the card right as SummerSlam approaches. Orton inserting himself into the Punk-Rhodes dynamic — even as a non-wrestling factor at ringside — would be a classic veteran power play, and it fits the pattern WWE has leaned on for years when it wants added intrigue heading into a marquee title match. A returning Orton doesn’t need to win anything to matter; his mere presence changes how fans watch the SummerSlam main event.

Owens’ return carries different stakes. After such a long layoff, WWE will likely want to ease him back in rather than throw him straight into a title chase, but his history with names like Zayn and Rhodes gives the company plenty of options once he’s ready to go. Either way, the back half of 2026 suddenly looks a lot deeper at the top of the roster than it did a month ago.

Expect WWE to stay quiet on both names until they’re fully ready to pull the trigger, but all signs point toward two former world champions rejoining the title conversation sooner rather than later.