Can you sense it? Can you feel the tremors of anticipation rumbling as we all brace for the impending return of the WWE’s Apex Predator, Randy Orton? Speculation swirls, conjectures boil over, and social media hums with the electric energy of fans tirelessly debating about the grand comeback storyline the WWE has in store for Orton. What intriguing narrative will our hero— or perhaps our villain— step into upon his return to the ring?
Before leaving the WWE last May to nurse an injury, Orton found himself potentially feuding with his former partner, Matt Riddle. In fact, leading up to Money in the Bank, many half-expected Orton to appear at the event, possibly to pick up where he left off. But, now, others believe that he could do so much more.
Orton could balance the scales in Riddle’s still-ongoing strife with the Imperium, or maybe even “help” Cody Rhodes in his impending trilogy-ending skirmish against Brock Lesnar. But, there’s an even better idea floating around right now. What if, just hear us out, Orton comes back and pulls off exactly what earned him his nickname, the Viper, by doing a reunion that culminates in betrayal, with Orton turning his back on allies at the last moment?
Rumors would have you believe that #WWE superstar Randy Orton may return to action soon. If the Viper was to slither his way back onto programming soon, who would you want to see him working with, and in what capacity/role?
— WrestlingINC.com (@WrestlingInc) June 30, 2023
An interesting theory is for Orton to return at SummerSlam, throwing a wrench into Roman Reigns and Jey Uso’s rumored championship match. You see, it was Reigns and his crew, The Bloodline, who dealt Orton a severe beatdown after a tag title unification match against The Usos, effectively sidelining him.
In the grand, dramatic scheme of WWE storylines, it’s only fitting Orton disrupts The Bloodline’s rhythm upon his return.
Wrestling Inc., curious about the wrestling community’s predictions, conducted a Twitter poll about the fate of Orton’s return, and the results are intriguing. A hefty 54 percent of the audience is rooting for a heel Orton, eyeing The American Nightmare for a feud after his dance with Lesnar. Not far behind in the voting stakes is the tantalizing possibility of an RK-Bro reunion, with Orton and Riddle joining forces to hunt down the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship, currently in the grasp of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
With such an overwhelming number of people who wants to see Cody Rhodes vs Randy Orton happen, why should Triple H (or is it Vince McMahon), say no?
If we’re being honest, the WWE should’ve gone for this feud in the first place after WrestleMania 39. In fact, maybe this was the original plan but Randy Orton just wasn’t ready yet. Speculations aside, Brock Lesnar, for all of his efforts in trying to sell this match, lives up to his moniker. Any program with Lesnar needs to have someone on the opposite side that looks just as imposing as The Beast Incarnate.
Everyone, from Goldberg to John Cena and, most recently, Roman Reigns and Bobby Lashley, all legitimately looked like they could take on Lesnar. Rhodes doesn’t. He’s nearly 70 pounds and 2 inches short of Lesnar, leaving the booking to look forced and excessive.
On the other hand, both Orton and Rhodes share similar physical profiles, which makes matches between both look more believable and entertaining.
The July 3 episode of Monday Night RAW gave us an example of this, with Rhodes and Lesnar briefly skirmishing before an unlikely sight took place – the former UFC champion running away from his opponent. This attempt to sell Rhodes feels very inauthentic for either character.
Rhodes is expected to conclude this trilogy at SummerSlam with a win over Lesnar in a special stipulation match. Afterward, the WWE needs to bide its time before the expected rematch between Rhodes and Reigns at WrestleMania 40. Rhodes is as over with WWE fans as any can be, but he’ll need someone more suited for him so that the WWE can peddle this adversity angle for a few more months and Premium Level Events without losing its effectiveness. This is where Orton comes in as Rhodes’ next heel.
With Seth Rollins feuding against The Judgment Day, Rhodes fending off The Viper, and Drew McIntyre coming in to try and snatch the Intercontinental Championship from Gunther, Monday Night RAW will finally have a fair shot at drawing as many eyes as Friday Night SmackDown, the latter of which has been breaking records due to the success of The Bloodline storyline.
