Orton recalled speaking with leading neurosurgeons who recommended that Orton retire from wrestling. According to the former WWE Champion, the doctors encouraged him to think about his quality of life after wrestling.

“That’s always been a priority for me,” Orton said. “But hearing all this, after thinking I was going to get an epidural cortisone shot and I’d be fine, it was tough. I’ll be honest — I broke into tears.”

However, the wrestler persisted in speaking to doctors about exploring his options. Eventually, he got in touch with someone who thought they could help. Orton cited a doctor named Adam Kanter as well as two other physicians for their excellent work on his back surgery.

“They didn’t cut through any muscle,” Orton stated. “That would have rendered me a non-athlete for the rest of my life because the muscle wouldn’t have healed quite the same.”

Since making his return in the Men’s WarGames match last November, Orton has wrestled 10 times. That includes appearances on “WWE Raw, “WWE SmackDown,” live events, and a Fatal Four-Way match at the 2024 WWE Royal Rumble. This weekend, Orton will take part in the Men’s Elimination Chamber match and, the following day, an episode of A&E’s “Biography” focused on Orton will air.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit Sports Illustrated with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.