When Randy Orton was suspended for 60 days by WWE for his second (on the record) Wellness Policy violation, the circumstances surrounding it were -- and continue to be -- shrouded in mystery.
It was reported that Orton tested positive for the steroid Dianabol, though others claimed that wasn't the case. Taking it one step further, some said "The Viper" may have even been close to losing his job, as high up executives felt his contract was too long and lucrative for his having two strikes with the company.
Cooler heads prevailed, of course, and Orton -- one of the top babyface superstars on the entire roster -- was welcomed back on the July 30 edition of Monday Night Raw, the same day his suspension officially ended. However, there were reports that Orton would be punished beyond his 60 day suspension.
Namely, instead of cutting him altogether, simply keeping him off the big Summerslam pay-per-view (PPV) on Aug. 19, 2012, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, and the big payday that comes with it.
This seemed unlikely considering his standing in the company but during a brief Q&A session he conducted on Twitter shortly after landing in Japan for a tour, Orton was asked by a fan why he's not in the Summerslam promo. His response was straight to the point.
"Because unfortunately, I'm not working," he revealed.
It appears those lobbying for a harsher punishment have been placated and we won't be seeing Orton at Summerslam. Assuming plans don't change within the next 10 days, of course. We all know how that goes.