Randy Orton says he's still buddies with Kevin Owens outside of the ring and has faith that they will be able to pick up where they left off one day inside the squared circle.
Randy Orton was set for a grudge match with Kevin Owens at WWE WrestleMania 41 before Owens announced that he needed neck surgery. Orton has previously stated that his heart goes out to Kevin Owens and that he arranged for the former WWE Universal Champion to receive a second opinion evaluation with a surgeon he has worked with previously.
Speaking with Denise Salcedo on the WWE Hall of Fame red carpet, Orton said that he respects Owens as a father and a husband and hopes to be able to pick up where they left off one day.
"So Owens and I are buddies outside the ring, and I really respect him as not only a wrestler, but like a husband and a father. I know what it's like to go through an injury like that, and so I've actually had a couple of conversations with him about what to expect, and the mental, it's tough. It's tough to be home, be hurt, and not be able to do what you love to do, as much as some people might think that it would be awesome to be home for a long time, paid vacation type stuff, this is in our blood, and until we're told we can't do it anymore, we want to do it. So I know he's got that feeling, and you know I'll be thinking about him during this time, but I know he'll come back and we'll get to finish what we started."
Randy Orton will now take part in an open challenge at WWE WrestleMania 41. This will be his 20th WrestleMania appearance.
Fans can find Kevin Owens' comments on his neck injury by clicking here.
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