Randy Orton returns at house show, advertised for upcoming WWE events

According to multiple reports online, Randy Orton made his return from a back injury at a house show yesterday (Sun., Jan. 22, 2012) in Las Cruces, New Mexico, to attack Wade Barrett.

It's the first time Orton has appeared in weeks.

The timing is rather interesting. If he came back at a house show yesterday and is advertised for Raw and Smackdown this week, it's reasonable to expect him to show up on both shows leading into the Royal Rumble this Sunday night.

Which is a baffling decision, in many ways.

For starters, they could have maximized his return by having him be a surprise entrance in the Rumble match. It's been rumored for weeks that he's the guy who has been chosen to win the match, which would seem to play into the surprise entrance even further. Plus, it means they don't have to waste a surprise spot on an old washout for a nostalgia pop.

There's the thought that putting him on the go-home shows for Raw and Smackdown will help sell the pay-per-view but we're talking about a show that will do good numbers no matter who is advertised.

All things considered, it seems odd to me that Orton is returning one week before the Rumble. I'm not complaining, though. While I've never considered myself much of a "Viper" fan, the run he was on before getting injured was unparalleled.