Randy Orton’s Return Steers Team to Victory in Men’s WarGames Match – At WWE Survivor Series 2023, the Men’s WarGames Match was a rollercoaster of uncertainty and surprise. Cody Rhodes led a team comprising Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso, and the anticipated return of Randy Orton against formidable opponents in The Judgment Day and Drew McIntyre.
The suspense began early as Randy Orton’s absence raised questions about Team Rhodes’ unity. Despite this, Rollins and Finn Balor set the pace with a high-octane clash between the rings, exchanging fierce blows. However, the arrival of JD McDonagh tilted the momentum in favor of The Judgment Day, wielding a kendo stick and overwhelming Rollins until Jey Uso balanced the odds with a steel chair.
As the match intensified, Damian Priest’s entry stirred discord within The Judgment Day, allowing Sami Zayn to enter with a table, shifting the tide briefly. Drew McIntyre’s powerhouse entrance led to chaos, slamming Uso against the cage wall, but Zayn and Uso rallied, welcoming Cody Rhodes into the fray. Rhodes swung the momentum back to his team, introducing a bullrope into the mix.
However, Dominik Mysterio’s involvement reinvigorated The Judgment Day, leading to a series of back-and-forth assaults. Priest’s devastating move, sending Rollins crashing through a table, added to the match’s intensity. Just as Randy Orton was poised to make his long-awaited entrance, Rhea Ripley appeared, seemingly intending to assist Priest in cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase.
Orton’s arrival proved a game-changer, marking his return to WWE programming after a prolonged absence due to back fusion surgery. His impact was immediate, turning the tables single-handedly despite The Judgment Day’s collective assault. Orton’s team joined in, executing synchronized spike DDTs and asserting dominance.
In a thrilling climax, Orton, along with his teammates, orchestrated a sequence of finishers, leaving JD McDonagh isolated. Prevented from escaping the cage by Rollins and Zayn, McDonagh fell victim to Orton’s iconic RKO before Rhodes sealed the victory with a Crossrhodes.
The exhilarating conclusion saw CM Punk’s surprise return (see details here), adding an extra layer of excitement to Team Rhodes’ celebratory moment.
This match not only marked Orton’s impactful comeback since his last appearance in May 2022 but also McDonagh’s inaugural WWE Premium Live Event on the main roster following his move to WWE Raw in the 2023 WWE Draft.
Stay tuned to WrestlingAttitude, WA.Com On Twitter and Google News for more.
Randy Orton’s Return Steers Team to Victory in Men’s WarGames Match
