Randy Orton Not Actually Working WWE Royal Rumble 2021 Match?

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Randy Orton's scheduled appearance in the 2021 men's Royal Rumble is a red herring.

Orton declared himself for the annual 30-person over-the-top-rope spectacular a couple of weeks ago on Raw's Legends Night. Yet, the two-time Rumble winner has also been heavily rumoured to be clashing with his current bitter rival Bray Wyatt at the upcoming PPV.

Though they admitted that things are always open to change, WOR state that Orton's announcement may simply be there as a way of misleading fans in the build-up to the event. If rumours are to be believed, WWE are working towards a 'The Fiend' Vs Orton Firefly Funhouse match at the event, making an appearance in the night's signature bout unlikely for 'The Viper'.

It's been revealed that Orton will address having a fireball thrown in his face by Alexa Bliss recently on the upcoming episode of Raw, a segment which could perhaps lead to a 'Fiend' return and the set-up for that suggested Firefly Funhouse match. The pair went to war most recently at the 2020 TLC PPV, with Orton coming out on top in a Firefly Inferno match on that occasion.

Whether or not Orton ends up entering the Rumble, battling Bray in a Funhouse, or even pulling double duty will likely be made known in the coming weeks.