Randy Orton makes shock WWE return after four months away to decide WWE world title match at SummerSlam

RANDY ORTON made a shock return to WWE after four months away from the company. The Apex Predator hadn’t been seen since he lost to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 42 in April. However, the 14-time world champion appeared at the end of the Cody Rhodes and CM Punk WWE World Heavyweight title match to RKO the former and hand victory to the latter. Rhodes and Punk went at it for half-an-hour in a real slugfest co-main event for SummerSlam. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Just when it seemed like Rhodes might be on his way to victory, Orton slithered into the ring as he has done so many times since he debuted way back in 2002. He RKO’d Rhodes which allowed Punk to come back into the ring, hit his GTS and then get the three count. The Viper, 46, turned heel to face Rhodes at WrestleMania and ended up losing the match, but punted Rhodes in the head before he left. There as been much many reports and speculation that a flare up of his career-threatening injury had meant Orton needed more time away. Orton would then tweet denying the reports, insisting he was simply milking his on-screen loss/injuries and wanted to enjoy his summer. Orton’s WWE deal is believed to run until August 2029 which would take his tenure with the promotion to 27 years on the main roster. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Only The Undertaker at 30 years has a comparable career. Orton is tied third on the list of all time world title wins alongside Triple H, only behind Ric Flair on 16 and John Cena on 17. Comment now