If Randy Orton had a dollar for every time WrestleMania plans changed on him, he’d have enough to buy AEW’s catering budget for a year. But now, with Kevin Owens out due to neck surgery and creative seemingly duct-taping storylines together like it’s a group project gone wrong, we finally have some clarity: Orton’s headed to Mania with an open challenge.
Yes, folks—The Viper will roll the dice in Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium with a good old-fashioned mystery opponent, because nothing screams “last-minute panic booking” like “we’ll figure it out live.”
Originally, Orton was set to face Owens on Night One. But then KO dropped a neck-shaped bombshell on SmackDown earlier this month, and suddenly Orton found himself without an opponent and with an overwhelming desire to RKO authority figures. He’s already flattened General Manager Nick Aldis twice since November, and last week he warned that if he doesn’t have an opponent by tomorrow’s SmackDown, Aldis is getting hit with another RKO so violent it may show up on Botchamania just for the sound it makes.
In response to being matchless, Orton half-jokingly (read: 80% seriously) suggested Aldis step in as his Mania opponent. If that happens, expect a squash match followed by an emotional career retrospective and spinal fusion.
But Aldis might not be the only option. The rumor mill is churning faster than Corey Graves’ metaphors, with Aleister Black and Miro being top fantasy-booking favorites. Both men have recently ghosted AEW harder than CM Punk ghosted Tony Khan’s group chats, and with WWE always craving a pop-worthy surprise, either return would light up Vegas like pyro at a Goldberg match.
Also in the mix: Solo Sikoa, who has beef with Orton after last week’s SmackDown tag match. With Tama Tonga lurking at his side like a very angry NPC, Solo could be WWE’s choice if they decide the WrestleMania card isn’t Bloodline-y enough yet.
For now, Orton’s WrestleMania status remains a slot machine pull—could be Aldis, could be Black, could be a returning megastar. All we know is: if no one steps up, Aldis is going down.