WWE veteran Arn Anderson Questions Randy Orton‘s Recent Storylines
WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson has publicly criticized the creative direction surrounding Randy Orton’s return, expressing concern over a perceived lack of focus on the Apex Predator’s established strengths. Anderson’s comments,made on his ARN podcast,come as Orton is slated to reappear on the December 5th SmackDown taping in Austin,Texas-his first in-ring action since October 3rd,2023.
The critique centers on Orton’s storyline following a hiatus caused by a Curb Stomp from Seth Rollins. Anderson believes Orton’s established persona as a calculating and dominant force is being undermined by recent booking choices. This matters now as Orton’s return is a notable event for the blue brand, and a misstep in his re-integration could diminish his impact and possibly stall momentum heading into WrestleMania. The stakes are high for both Orton and WWE, as a strong return is crucial for maintaining Orton’s status as a top-tier performer and capitalizing on fan anticipation.
“You’ve got a guy who’s been a main eventer for two decades,a proven draw,and you’re having him take a beating from everybody,” Anderson stated on his podcast. “Randy doesn’t need to be made to look vulnerable. He is the threat. That’s what people pay to see.”
Orton’s last televised match occurred on the October 3rd episode of SmackDown, were he and Cody Rhodes were defeated by the Judgment Day. His absence followed the aforementioned attack by Rollins,which effectively removed him from WWE programming for nearly two months. The December 5th appearance will mark Orton’s first return to SmackDown as that incident.
