Randy Orton Wanted To Be Irate At CM Punk’s WWE Return

Randy Orton had mixed feelings over CM Punk’s big WWE comeback.

At Survivor Series, CM Punk made a stunning return to WWE after almost a decade away. The star walked out on WWE back in 2014 and had been notoriously anti-sports entertainment in the years since with many feeling he would never go back.

However, after weeks of speculation, Punk tipped the wrestling world on its head.

The show also saw the return of Randy Orton who had been out of action for 18 months due to a serious back injury, although his comeback had been announced beforehand — reportedly to try and dampen speculation around Punk.

Appearing on The Bump, Orton reflected on his return and the sentiment of some fans that it was overshadowed by Punk showing up to close the show. The Viper admitted that there was part of him that was annoyed, but when all was said and done he couldn’t be angry at the reception they both got.

“Funny little side story to that day. For a month prior, there was all these rumors online that I was coming back, but there was also rumors that CM Punk was coming back.

Instead of it being a surprise that it was me, instead of Punk, they let everyone know a week prior, Randy Orton is gonna be the one joining Cody’s team in War Games.

Kinda let the wind out of my sails a little bit because I’ve been gone for a year and a half, there’s all this anticipation, people have been expecting me to return for the past six months because I’ve been out so long.

I can tell that I’ve matured a lot, because part of me wanted to be irate that this was taken from me, this reaction from the crowd that I’ve been looking forward to for 18 months.

But after all was said and done, I came out, got a great reaction. Punk came out, got a great reaction, and I realised after the fact that nobody stepped on anyone’s toes, it was really just a really fun night for the fans.”

Randy Orton Happy To Have CM Punk Back

Despite his under-the-surface misgivings, Orton explained that on a personal level, he was happy to see Punk back.

They got Randy Orton back and they were very happy about that. They weren’t even thinking about Punk, and then here comes Punk. So that reaction, there were two different reactions, two different people, everybody was excited to see us both.

Personally, on a personal level, I was happy to have him back, he’s a hell of a worker, a hell of guy, but it was funny because here I am after 18 months, ready to go and their like, ‘oh no, we’re going to announce your return’, and then he comes back anyway!”

At the Royal Rumble, Randy Orton will be one of three challengers facing Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title. The pair will be joined in the huge Fatal-Four-Way match by AJ Styles and LA Knight, who will also be looking to end Reigns’ record-breaking run.

H/t to Wrestle Talk