There have been some rumors going around suggesting that former WWE and World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton is injured or has backstage heat – being the reason why he missed WWE’s European Tour.

This is not true. Wrestling Observer Newsletter‘s Dave Meltzer reports that Orton missed the tour because he was not contractually obligated to attend. The Viper’s current WWE deal allows him to work a lighter tour schedule, thus he was able to hang back state-side and spend time with his family.

Orton does not have any backstage heat and has no injuries as of this writing. At this point in his career, he simply worked out a deal that would limit the amount of overseas traveling he has to do in order to be able to spend more time back home with his wife and kids.

Randy, son of WWE Hall Of Famer “Cowboy” Bob Orton, has been with WWE for almost 20 years. It’s safe to say he’s earned some say-so in how many tour dates he works.