Randy Orton's Journey: Overcoming Mental Health Challenges After WWE Hiatus

Randy Orton's Return to WWE Amidst Personal Struggles

Randy Orton's return to WWE following an extended break was fraught with challenges. He faced not only physical setbacks but also significant mental health issues after suffering a severe injury shortly after Wrestlemania 38. This led him to question whether his wrestling career was coming to an end.

In a candid discussion on Stephanie McMahon’s podcast, "What’s Your Story?", Orton opened up about his mental health struggles that took him to a dark place, despite being surrounded by his loving wife, Kim Orton, and their children.

During his hiatus, Orton experienced panic attacks while recovering from a back injury and undergoing double fusion surgery in 2022. He feared that his wrestling days were over, a thought that lingered for over six months as he grappled with his identity outside of the sport he had excelled in.

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Support and Recovery: Orton's Path to Healing

These struggles led Orton to revisit some unhealthy habits from his past. However, with the unwavering support of his wife and children, he sought medical assistance to address his mental health. He shared on the podcast that he has been proactive in following the necessary treatment.

“I’ve got a wife and five kids and luckily I was able to kind of nip it in the bud quick,” Orton explained. “She saw it happening and I was put on some SSRIs. It’s like an anti-depression, anti-anxiety medication. And I’ve actually been off of them for about six months and I feel like I’m myself again. But I needed them for a few years.” (quotes courtesy F4wonLine)

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Recently, Randy Orton participated in the WWE Night of Champions 2025 event held at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He competed in the King of the Ring tournament final but fell short against Cody Rhodes, who secured a championship opportunity at Summerslam 2025.