If you compare the WWE roster from now to five years ago, most of the talent will be different. It is obvious how the company’s landscape has changed and grown, with many new and upcoming talents being featured.
Few wrestlers like The Miz and R-Truth have remained in the company for over ten years. But only one has stayed in the WWE since the Ruthless Aggression Era: Randy Orton.
While John Cena is still wrestling, he will be retired by the end of 2025. On the other hand, according to Fightful Select, Orton just signed another five-year contract with the company, assuring that he will be wrestling with WWE for at least another five years.
Orton has done nearly everything one can imagine in WWE, from becoming a Grand Slam Champion to being a two-time Royal Rumble winner. However, while he has been heavily involved in stories recently, he has yet to win a singles match at a PLE since WrestleMania 37 against The Fiend.
In an interview with Alex McCarthy from Daily Mail, he also acknowledged that he hasn’t even main-evented a PLE in nearly four years. With this record, what does this mean for The Viper in the next five years?
Bash in Berlin
Orton is set to face Gunther for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Bash in Berlin 2024. The match will undoubtedly be a classic, like when they faced each other at King of the Ring 2024.
However, it’s hard to believe Orton will come out on top.
This will be Gunther’s first title defense since defeating Damian Priest at SummerSlam 2024. Looking back at his other championship reigns in the company (Intercontinental champion and NXT UK champion), he hasn’t held a title for less than 600 days.
Gunther is the longest reigning Intercontinental champion in history, holding the title for 666 days. Looking at Gunther’s statistics, it is hard to think that he will lose the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the first title defense.
He has been set up to have long championship reigns, with his other reign of the NXT UK Championship lasting 870 days. There is always the chance that WWE will surprise us and Orton can come out on top.
But if he doesn’t, what’s next for Orton? When will he be able to break his singles PLE losing streak?
Randy Orton Heel Run?
Could Orton’s next five years in the company consist of one more heel run? He has been a face for years and is excellent at it; he’s a fan favorite.
But is it time for something different for him? Orton feeds into any gimmick he’s given, making him one of the best heels.
Orton didn’t gain the nickname “legend killer” for no reason. Through the history of vicious attacks on legends, one acquired that nickname.
He has had ruthless and personal feuds with Triple H, Daniel Bryan, and Edge, involving their wives and family. He has also had historic feuds against Cena, Batista, and Undertaker while being a heel through it all.
Finding someone who does it better than him is nearly impossible, considering his experience and success.
If Orton doesn’t win the World Heavyweight Championship, will he soon go after the WWE Championship? Orton is longtime friends with WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and has fought alongside him to help him win the championship.
Everyone would love to see a feud between the two but, with Rhodes’ babyface status, it doesn’t seem like he would be the heel between the two. Considering their long friendship, a feud between them has the potential to reach personal levels and draw in a large audience.
Both men know the importance of telling a story, and there are many directions in which they can take it. It will be exciting to see when and if Orton decides to turn heel.
When will The Viper strike?
Cena’s Farewell Tour
While it may be a far-fetched idea since it’s so far away, it may not be so far-fetched. Cena vs Orton, at least one more time part of John Cena’s farewell tour.
This is a far-fetched idea, considering his tour won’t start until 2025. Although, I’m sure they are already planning many of Cena’s final opponents.
However, it’s pretty close considering the rivalry these two have had, along with the last two remaining from the Ruthless Aggression Era. This also ties back to Orton turning heel, which would make for a better feud than two faces against one another.
Considering it is doubtful that Cena would turn heel during his last year, Orton’s heel turn is more likely. It would also be a perfect time to bring back “The Legend Killer” during this farewell tour.
Cena and Orton have the most history in the WWE compared to any other wrestler on the roster. They know each other so well both in and outside of the ring.
Their feud also reached personal levels when Orton attacked Cena’s father. To say the least, one more match between them would be nothing less than a classic.
It would truly be historic.
It would be interesting to see Orton beat Rhodes and get another championship run. Then, he could move on to his feud with Cena, where Cena can win his 17th WWE Championship.
Cena would be able to retire as the man who had the most WWE Championship runs. Either way, whether a championship is involved, many feuds and rivalries will be born among Orton’s heel turn, with the most anticipated matches against Rhodes and Cena.
RKO became the three most dangerous letters because of the man behind them, The Apex Predator, Randal Keith Orton. He has lived up to all of these nicknames given to him simply through his vicious in-ring presence.
Is it time for him to return to this vicious mentality? Will we see “The Legend Killer” return?
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