Randy Orton made his return to WWE SmackDown during the first episode of the new year and the show’s renewed three-hour format, confronting The Miz who had taken over the opening segment to vent his frustrations. The Miz expressed his disappointment over missing a moment with John Cena on his retirement tour and his lingering anger about last week’s controversial win against WWE NXT star Joe Hendry, without directly naming Hendry. As The Miz boasted about being the gateway to wrestling and a locker room leader, Orton’s music interrupted, captivating the Buffalo, New York crowd. Orton joined The Miz, claiming they both represent the WWE’s leadership and charisma, suggesting they could unite as “Miz-KO.” Without a microphone, Orton stunned The Miz with an RKO, and after the crowd’s enthusiastic chant for another, Orton delivered a second RKO, wishing Miz a “Happy New Year.”
Fan Take: Randy Orton’s surprise return and reunion with The Miz as potential allies shakes up the WWE landscape, injecting fresh excitement into storylines. This move hints at high-stakes collaborations that could redefine locker room dynamics and create memorable moments for fans.
