WWE has reportedly been planning a big return for Survivor Series.
On the November 6th edition of Raw, a wild brawl broke out between The Judgment Day and Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, and Seth Rollins. This led to General Manager Adam Pearce announcing he had enough of the fighting between the two groups, and they would settle things once and for all in a WarGames match at Survivor Series.
According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, there has been consideration for Drew McIntyre to be added to the Judgment Day side of the equation. If this happens, then there would need to be someone added to their opponents’ team.
Now, Fightful Select has not only confirmed the report on McIntyre’s involvement, but says that has been the working plan for the match “for months.” Additionally, the plan since the summer for the babyface team has seemingly been for Randy Orton to make his long-awaited return to action.
The report goes on to note that Orton will likely be announced for the bout before the show to head off any rumours of CM Punk being a mystery partner.
Randy Orton Has Been Aiming For WWE Survivor Series Return
Randy Orton has been missing in action for well over a year now as he has been dealing with a serious back injury. The last time he was seen in the ring was on the May 20th, 2022 edition of SmackDown.
At the time, he and Matt Riddle were the Raw Tag Team Champions and they faced the SmackDown Tag Team Champions, The Usos, in a winner-take-all unification match, only to come out on the losing end due to Bloodline interference.
On October 13th, it was reported that both Randy Orton and WWE were aiming for The Viper to return at Survivor Series, something that looks close to coming to fruition on November 25th.
In a new update from Fightful Select on November 12th, it was rumoured that Orton was set to be put in a major title program, but this plan has not been discussed. In a new update from WWE, the latest Tribute for the Troops has been announced.
Further clarification has been provided by Dave Meltzer on November 14th, revealing on Wrestling Observer Radio that an Orton return has been confirmed to him and that The Viper will be in Wargames.
It’s five on five. It is going to be Drew McIntyre and it is going to be Randy Orton. Yeah, yeah, it’s actually been reported elsewhere, but I actually got that confirmed. Randy Orton is going to be in WarGames yes.