While CM Punk’s potential return to WWE dominated headlines for the past few months, the WWE went ahead and is giving fans an even bigger reason to cheer before the month ends with the return of Randy Orton.
The third-generation professional wrestler had been sidelined since May 2022 following a back injury, which was played out as if The Usos had purposely injured him after defeating Orton and his former partner, Matt Riddle, to unite the tag team titles. However, while Orton is all but guaranteed to rejoin WWE as one of the company’s biggest babyfaces when he jumps back into the squared circle at Survivor Series: WarGames in Chicago on November 25, what if the WWE pivots more towards his more antagonistic side?
And, no, we’re not talking about going full heel, at least not yet, anyway. WWE should probably ease Orton back into its storylines by leaning more towards arguably his most popular persona, The Viper, and The Apex Predator.
Well, they’re more like nicknames than actual personality changes, but you get the point. Orton’s best character work is when he’s billed as one of the babyfaces only to turn heel at the last-minute. Who better to turn against than his former protege, Cody Rhodes? Coincidentally, he and Rhodes will be part of the five-man squad on the babyface team for WarGames, which features, among others, Jey Uso.
Between Orton’s bitter history with The Usos (and the Bloodline, in general), Seth Rollins, and, yes, even Rhodes, it’s as if WWE is daring us fans to expect what’s coming as soon as WarGames hits its climax.
With several weeks separating Survivor Games: WarGames and the next Premium Live Event, the 2024 Royal Rumble, a sinister Orton playing tricks on four of the biggest babyfaces on RAW, because, well, why not, would be much-needed weekly draw for WWE as it tries to figure out what to do next as it buys time for when Rhodes presumably wins the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship over Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40.
Orton could even align himself with The Judgment Day, proving that the earlier rumors were true, and help RAW’s top heels take the heroes down a peg. If nothing else, this would leave WWE an opportunity to destroy the same faction from the inside out, with Orton causing dissension within the group.
Ideally, The Viper and The American Nightmare wouldn’t square up until Rhodes is the WWE’s unified champion to kick off his title reign. But, with Rhodes having already overcome every “struggle” put before him, the only obstacle left now is time and WWE’s creative team, which is still bullish on Rhodes vs. Reigns in Philadelphia in April.
Then again, who knows? WWE could drag out Orton’s heel turn until after Rhodes has won in April. As much as Rhodes has no shortage of opponents who could elevate him and vice versa, it’s Orton, with their strong in-ring chemistry and real-life bond, who can help him craft a tale befitting of his first ever title defense.
Ultimately, this is all speculation, but at least we don’t have to wait for long to see if Orton will turn heel immediately in his first PLE in over a year or if he’ll let things play out while looking for an opportune moment to strike.
