CM Punk’s Surprise Return Overshadowing Randy Orton Led to The Viper Feeling “Proud” of Himself

The main event of Survivor Series saw the return of Randy Orton after an 18-month hiatus. This brought a big wave of enthusiasm from the fans of The Apex Predator. However, Orton didn’t get the chance to be in the spotlight after his big WarGames victory alongside Cody Rhodes. Instead, CM Punk managed to take center stage.

As soon as his entrance music hit, the fans as well as social media erupted with massive cheers for CM Punk. Despite the match being a big win for Rhodes, and a return victory for Randy Orton, CM Punk was given the credit for the new viewership records. Interestingly, however, a new interview from The Viper showcases that he harbors a very different emotion regarding the event.

When Triple H broke the CM Punk return news to Randy Orton

Randy Orton recently spoke to SI’s Fannation, where he revealed that he was having jitters before his Survivor Series return. However, his focus zeroed in on just one thing when Triple H told him that CM Punk was returning.

According to Randy Orton, as per Sports Illustrated, “Triple H is like, ‘Hey Randy, I’ve got to talk to you for a second.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, what’s up, man?’ So he told me a couple of things. And then he went, ‘One more thing–Punk’s returning tonight. I thought he was f*****g with me. I said, ‘You’re joking,’ and he was like, ‘No, I’m not.” The CM Punk out of the blue was definitely something to be frustrated about. Orton especially hyped himself about his own comeback.

Randy Orton continued, “I was so excited for this surprise return… That’s never really been the case. They’ve always kind of stooged off the fact I was returning; they wanted those views. So I’d never had that surprise return.” Despite this, however, RKO showed a different approach to the CM Punk return.

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He noted, “I could have been really pissed, and old Randy would have been pissed. It was a defining moment for me. I went out there, we had a great WarGames match, everybody was excited that I returned, everybody was excited that Punk returned, and neither return stepped on each other. It was a testament to how much I’d grown. It would have been an issue only if I made it one, so I was proud of the way I handled it.” Interestingly, RKO has been mature about everything even after the initial moment of shock. In fact, he is even seeing its results as he fights more matches.

The championship bouts of Randy Orton

The CM Punk comeback may have sidelined Randy Orton. But, WWE is also giving The Viper really good matches to fight. Instead of joining the 30-man slugfest at the Royal Rumble, Orton directly traded blows with WWE Champ Roman Reigns. Despite his defeat in the Fatal Four-Way, he has earned another shot at the top gold.

Randy Orton will be heading to Perth, Australia to contest in the Elimination Chamber match. Apart from that, his WarGames match against The Judgment Day was also a phenomenal affair. However, CM Punk entered the Rumble for only a few minutes before sustaining an injury.

Will Orton rise to the top at EC and inch closer to John Cena and Ric Flair and become a 15-time WWE Champ?

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