Is Randy Orton the first WWE star to suffer a career-threatening back injury?

One of the most controversial topics recently is Randy Orton's potential retirement from WWE and wrestling altogether after it was shared that his back injury is not looking good. Unfortunately, it wasn't the first time a superstar has had to end their career due to a back injury.

Although there's still no confirmation that Randy Orton will retire due to his back injury, a number of stars had to. In 2015, Tyson Kidd (aka TJ Wilson) suffered a spinal injury during a dark match with Samoa Joe on RAW. In 1994, Rick Rude was wrestling with Sting when the former landed awkwardly on a raised platform. Although he finished the match, his injured back prevented him from returning to the ring.

Although it's unfortunate that Tyson, Rick, and many more superstars had to step away from the wrestling ring due to a back injury, they found a new spot in the sport. Kidd occasionally produces matches for the Stamford-based promotion, and Rude served as a color commentator and manager in WWE and WCW before his passing in 1999.

Randy Orton was last seen performing on a May 2022 episode of SmackDown. He unsuccessfully defended the RAW Tag Team Championship alongside Matt Riddle against The Usos. However, issues regarding his back and the injury had been present for a while. The Viper previously stated in an interview that his finisher, RKO, may have played a part in the worsening condition of his back.

What did doctors say about Randy Orton's possible WWE return?

Fans have been positive about the return of The Apex Predator to the ring despite his lengthy time away from it. While the superstar is seemingly positive about returning, medical professionals think otherwise.

In a chat with Bill Apter of Sportskeeda Wrestling, Randy Orton's father and wrestling legend Bob Orton Jr. shared that doctors were against The Viper's in-ring return. However, Orton is still training and would do what he wants at the end of the day.

"He's training, so we'll see what happens; I don't know. If he feels like he's ready to go back, I think he might, but again he's pretty well taken care of. I don't think he need [sic] to. And I think the doctors have told him not to. But Randy will do what Randy wants to do."

It would definitely be unfortunate if Randy Orton has indeed wrestled his last match. Still, his health needs to comes first, and he has left a legacy that will be hard to forget or follow.