The highly anticipated Randy Orton WWE SmackDown return took place on January 3, 2026, leaving the crowd and WWE Universe stunned when The Viper entered the arena after months away. Orton’s dramatic reappearance on WWE’s flagship Friday night show reignited rivalries and immediately shifted the energy of the event, making his comeback the focus of intense discussion and speculation throughout the night.
Unexpected Start Leads to Major Confrontation
SmackDown opened with The Miz airing grievances about his treatment by fans and the WWE organization, setting a combative tone. However, the atmosphere quickly shifted when Randy Orton, long absent since early October, confronted The Miz in the ring and teased action that kept everyone guessing.
“RANDY ORTON IS BACK!!! ? pic.twitter.com/rgIh0ESrMX” ?WWE (@WWE)
The moment Orton’s entrance music hit, the WWE crowd erupted, instantly recognizing the significance of his return. Instead of immediately launching into action, Orton relished the fan reaction—delaying his trademark RKO to soak in the energy of the arena.
MizKO Proposal Backfires As Orton Strikes
Attempting to seize the moment, The Miz pitched the idea of forming a new tag team dubbed “MizKO” to join forces with The Legend Killer. This suggestion did not sit well with Orton, leading him to respond with an emphatic RKO that drew a powerful reaction from the audience. As chants rang out for an encore, Orton delivered a second RKO to The Miz, further thrilling the WWE fans in attendance.
“RKO OUTTA NOWHERE!!!! ?@RandyOrton pic.twitter.com/sUgi2pyuDE” ?WWE (@WWE)
Orton’s double RKO reminded the WWE Universe why his return carries such impact, reestablishing his dominance and unpredictability within seconds of reentering the ring.
Backstage Tensions and Future Challenges
This episode marked Randy Orton’s first appearance since the October 3 SmackDown, when he and Cody Rhodes were defeated by Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. Backstage after the explosive segment, Orton confronted Cody Rhodes and issued a pointed warning that after dealing with Drew McIntyre the following week, he intends to make a run for the WWE Championship—implying his entry in the upcoming Royal Rumble match. These statements fueled speculation about new storylines and rivalries on the road to WWE’s major events.
What Orton’s Return Means for SmackDown
Randy Orton’s return to WWE SmackDown has shaken up the dynamics on Friday nights, setting the stage for high-stakes confrontations with top stars like Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes. With the WWE Universe and the crowd buzzing after his comeback, and implications for championship pursuits building, the focus now shifts to Orton’s next moves and the fierce battles sure to come in the lead-up to the Royal Rumble. His presence is set to intensify SmackDown and raise the level of competition in the coming weeks.
RANDY ORTON IS BACK!!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rgIh0ESrMX
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
RKO OUTTA NOWHERE!!!! 🙌@RandyOrton pic.twitter.com/sUgi2pyuDE
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
