Randy Orton evened his odds when he returned in 2023. Despite doctors suggesting Orton retire, the WWE legend returned to the ring after months of careful training and dedication. Now that he is back in the game, he deserves his due credit for overcoming such a hardship. However, The Viper had someone else to thank for his ultimate return.

While his family presumably gets credit, Orton said he felt grateful for a fellow wrestler and trainer who helped him push past his physical limits after he had undergone surgery and was in rehabilitation.

Randy Orton thanks NXT star for helping him get back his confidence

With Orton out of commission for 18 months, he had a ton to do to get back in shape. His return to the promotion during Survivor Series was no small feat, as Orton had to undergo surgery as well as months of physical therapy and training to stand his ground in the ring. So it’s not surprising that Orton attributes his success in making a comeback to the guy who helped train with him, NXT star Drew Gulak.

One of the many roles Gulak plays at the promotion is to help train wrestlers who suffered any injuries. In line with this, it was earlier reported that both Orton and R-Truth were training with Gulak as they recovered from their respective injuries.

Now, in an interview with the NY Post, Orton revealed just how much Gulak was essential for his recovery. “I did my first RKO in late August and if it wasn’t for Drew, I wouldn’t have gotten that little bit of confidence back,” confessed the WWE legend. “It was until like January where I really started to feel like ‘OK. I got my wheels back under me. I feel like I’m in control. This is what I’m good at dammit.’ It took a second.”

If it wasn’t for Gulak, Orton might not have been able to gain the confidence in himself that he desperately needed to come back. But he has two more people to thank for his eventual WWE return.

Randy Orton appreciates WWE management

In another recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Randy Orton revealed that one major factor for his WWE return was the change in leadership that happened right before his arrival at Survivor Games. After the promotion was acquired by Endeavor, Triple H and Nick Khan were given full control over WWE as its CCO and CEO, respectively.

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This allowed the company to make some changes in the workplace. For starters, The Game, along with Nick Khan, asked Randy Orton to approach them in case of any issues, including his health. So, when the WWE legend feels like he would have trouble wrestling a whole match, he approaches the management and they end up helping him.

Randy Orton has been vocally grateful for both of these instances and gives all three personalities their due credit for helping him return to WWE and continue his lustrous wrestling career.

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