7. Randy Orton
After undergoing shoulder surgery this past November, there was worry that Randy Orton would need to undergo neck surgery as well. Just this week it was reported by Dave Meltzer (and confirmed by Randy himself) that he will not in fact need the neck surgery. However, the original recovery time for the shoulder surgery is 4-6 months, putting him just on the cusp of returning in time for WrestleMania. Due to the extent of his long-standing shoulder problems, it is likely that Randy Orton will be missing WrestleMania 32 in order to properly rehab and recuperate. How does this effect the WWE going forward? In the short-term, not much. Orton has been directionless for quite some time now, as far as storylines go. No long-term planning has benefited The Viper, a WWE superstar who once dominated the main event scene. In fact, his absence can actually help him re-establish himself within the main event scene with a fresh start, new feud and perhaps a gimmick/character tweak upon his return. The long-term effects for WWE, on the other hand, is another story. WWE needs to come to the realization that superstars theyve focused their energy and depended on for the past decade or longer are not going to be full-time active talent forever. Losing Orton as a regular Raw, Smackdown, or PPV competitor is sure to hurt a company that has been struggling to find the talent that can and will carry the company forward.