Randy Orton Admits Mental Struggle As WWE Career Almost Ended

Randy Orton is back where he belongs these days in a WWE ring but the star has admitted he faced serious mental as well as physical battles during his time away due to injury.

When Randy Orton was written off television on May 20th, 2022, fans had no idea just how serious his situation was. As time passed, information began to leak out concerning The Viper, including suggestions he’d been advised to retire following serious back surgery.

Despite the warnings, Orton finally returned to the ring at Survivor Series 2023 looking in the best physical condition of his life. Since then Orton has not missed a beat in the ring and has made it to the semi-final of the 2024 King of the Ring tournament.

Speaking with Sportskeeda, Randy Orton reflected on his darkest injury hours as he revealed what were his most mentally challenging times after being told by doctors he’d have to walk away from his career:

I had top neurologists telling me that, ‘You know what, you had a great career, you have a life after wrestling, and you wanna be comfortable. You don’t wanna be in pain the rest of your life. We’re gonna fix your back, but you’re gonna have to stop wrestling’.

The first six months that I was out, I had that in the back of my head, and it was tough. It was mentally very challenging.

Randy Orton Couldn’t Stand During Worst Days Of Injury

In a previous interview with Sports Illustrated, Randy Orton confirmed the extent of his injuries and explained how he was left with no other choice but serious surgery:

My lower spine was so far gone that no shot was going to help. No ablation procedure where they burn the nerve for another six months pain-free, none of that was going to work.

I had stenosis, degeneration all over my lower spine, and a slipping disc–every time I extended my spine, it would slip and press on those nerves. I couldn’t sit and take a sh– without pain shooting down my legs or my feet going numb. I couldn’t stand. There were times when I’d move and end up on the floor.

On the 24th of My edition of SmackDown Randy Orton will fight for his place in the final of the King of the Ring tournament against The Bloodline’s Tama Tonga. The winner of that match will move on to the King & Queen of the Ring PLE where they will face Gunther for the crown.