WWE Superstar Randy Orton announced Friday that he underwent successful surgery to repair a medial meniscus tear in his left knee.

Orton told WWE.com, "I've known I needed the surgery since late last year, but I've been waiting for the right time to get my knee cleaned out. Right now was the right time."

The 38-year-old veteran is one of the most accomplished competitors in WWE history with 13 world title reigns to his credit.

WWE didn't release a recovery timetable for Orton, but according to WebMD, four to six weeks is a common timeline.

Additionally, Orton told WWE.com that he is "staying motivated to come back and dominate the blue brand."

The Viper was most recently engaged in a rivalry with fellow veteran Jeff Hardy over the United States Championship.

Orton lost that title to Jinder Mahal at WrestleMania 34 in a Fatal 4-Way, and after Hardy beat Mahal for the strap, the Apex Predator got another opportunity at Backlash.

Since losing to Hardy at that event, however, Orton has not competed.

Orton is among SmackDown Live's biggest stars, and his absence should allow others to flourish near the top of the card.

AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura continue to do battle for the WWE Championship, while the likes of Daniel Bryan, Samoa Joe, The Miz, Big Cass, Rusev, Andrade Almas and Hardy are in line to receive a greater share of the spotlight as well.

Orton would need a speedy recovery in order to return in time for next month's Money in the Bank pay-per-view, but the potential timeline for his comeback makes taking part in July's Extreme Rules and August's SummerSlam events a possibility.

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