Latest update on Randy Orton's WWE contract & WrestleMania 41 match status

The Viper made his return at the Elimination Chamber PLE!

After three months of absence from WWE programming, ‘The Viper’ Randy Orton made his return at the Elimination Chamber PLE to settle the score with Kevin Owens, who now wanted to hash the beef after injuring Orton and forcing him out of action.

Orton refused and floated the idea of a clash at WrestleMania 41, a match that was eventually canceled after being confirmed, as Owens had to pull out due to a serious neck injury. However, behind the scenes, Orton is sympathetic to Owens as he revealed in a recent interview with Complex.

🚨 Breaking: The highly anticipated match between Randy Orton and Kevin Owens at #WrestleMania has been canceled. 🚨Kevin Owens is dealing with a neck injury and will require surgery. 🙏#SmackDown #WWE #smackdownonNetflix pic.twitter.com/0F3Mxi1QK7

— KN Wrestling (@knwrestling) April 5, 2025

“If we’re being real here, my heart breaks for Kevin, I think, first and foremost, I just hate that he’s gotta go through that. Even more than a physical journey he’s gotta go on to let his body heal, it’s a mental journey too. His body’s been through it, and now he’s paying that price, like he said in the ring the other day. We all pay the price at one point or another.” Orton said.

Orton also revealed that he has connected Kevin with a surgeon he had worked with in the past for a second opinion. For now, he’s advising Owens to prioritize what’s best for himself and his family and to reach out if he ever needs someone to talk to as this situation is familiar to the Viper, having gone through the challenges that come with major injuries and tough personal challenges.

While Randy is not scheduled to face anyone at WrestleMania after the match with Owens fell through, the hope among fans is that the promotion books him with another superstar so they get to see the Apex Predator in action at the ‘Grandest Stage’.

Randy Orton has signed a new five-year contract with the WWE

During the conversation with Complex, Orton also revealed that he recently signed a five-year contract with the Stamford-based promotion and has plans to wrestle at least until he turns 50. The Viper also added that if it’s up to him he would like to sign at least one more contract after that.

“I’d love to sign another five-year contract after that. I know realistically there’s gonna be a day when I gotta stop. But it’s like, I don’t even think about that because I’m having so much fuc*ing fun right now,” Randy said.

Orton also reflected on how nearly losing his career made him value every moment in the ring in front of WWE fans and with his fellow wrestlers even more.

“Knowing that it was all taken away from me, or almost was all taken away from me. Just knowing that I can’t do it forever, it’s just every second I’m around the guys in the locker room, that camaraderie, there’s nothing like it.

Every second I’m in the ring feeling the energy from those fans, there’s nothing like it. And knowing that there’s a cap on that, it just makes it easier to make sure that I’m just always enjoying this.” Orton added.

Orton is excited and hopeful for what would be his 20th WrestleMania appearance and hopes to create a meaningful story that captures people’s interest, “I think that it would be a shame if I wasn’t somehow put in a position where I can at least hit an RKO at WrestleMania,”

The 41st edition of WrestleMania PLE is scheduled to take place as a two-night event on April 19 and 20, 2025 at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, USA. 

Who do you think Randy Orton should face at WrestleMania 41 PLE following the match cancellation? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section.

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