Randy Orton was noticeably absent from last night’s SmackDown Live. According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, Orton was scheduled to miss some time on SmackDown and WWE live events, as he is in Thailand finishing up filming for his new film Changeland.
According to Meltzer and other sources, the former WWE Champion is set to return for the 18th July episode of SmackDown Live, which will be the go-home show for WWE Battleground.
Videos by PopCulture.com
The WWE Superstar posted the below update to Instagram yesterday
Changeland is an upcoming WWE Studios film which is being directed by Seth Green. Little is known about the film at this time, other than that it is a comedy, starring Orton, Seth Green, and also Macaulay Culkin.
Up Next: The Best Netflix Films for Wrestling Fans
Randy Orton certainly is no stranger to Hollywood, having been a part of films in the past such as That’s What I Am, 12 Rounds 2: Reloaded, The Condemned 2, and Countdown. He has also been a notable part of TV shows such as Deal or No Deal and Shooter, which airs on the USA Network after SmackDown– although both of these projects filmed and aired almost a decade apart.
More: In Defense of the Evil Foreign Heel
At present, Orton is very much an active part of WWE storylines, slated to face Jinder Mahal in a Punjabi Prison Match for the WWE Championship at the upcoming WWE Battleground pay-per-view event on Sunday, July 23.
Most Viewed
-
(Credit: Liudmila Chernetska / Getty Images) -
TODAY — Pictured: Savannah Guthrie and mom Nancy, Jenna Bush Hager on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 — (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank) -
TODAY — Pictured: Savannah Guthrie and mother Nancy Guthrie on Thursday, June 15, 2023 — (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC) -
(Credit: NetPix / Getty Images) -
A pregnancy test closeup on a white bathroon countertop with the results positive and pregnant. -
Blake Garrett during "How To Eat Fried Worms" – Red Carpet Celebrity Event at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. (Photo by Bruce Gifford/FilmMagic) -
Beverly Hills, CA – January 31, 2026: Jelly Roll, left, and Bunnie Xo, right, pose for portraits on the red carpet during the 68th GRAMMY Awards Pre-GRAMMY Gala & GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Avery Lipman & Monte Lipman at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 in Beverly Hills, CA. Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy party hosts an array of A-listers from entertainment, sports, and politics to come together and enjoy performances. (Kayla Bartkowski/ Los Angeles Times) -
THE VOICE — "Knockout Reality" Episode 2010 — Pictured: Snoop Dogg — (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank)
