On a roster that is constantly bereft of quality top babyfaces,Randy Orton is emerging as an unlikely savior opposite Seth Rollins. WWE is clearly allowing Roman Reigns to continue cooking as he feuds with upper midcarders in the hopes of an eventual WWE World Heavyweight Championship victory met with less resistance. With John Cena entrenched as a gatekeeper in the two-man United States Championship division, the top babyface picture is sketchy.Despite being a natural heel, however, Orton's vigilante characteristics are catching on as a babyface and will help Rollins establish himself as a top heel. On this week's PodNasty Wrestling Podcast, I discussed Orton as an underrated talent whose consistent match quality makes him invaluable to WWE.
Orton's RKO rampage on Raw was shades of Stone Cold Steve Austin in 1998 and helped emphasize his role as an antihero since the move will be banned at Extreme Rules. Orton remains effective since WWE is focusing more on his action than his promos. Orton's slithering around the Times Union Center on Monday, striking everything that moved, was a great way to get fans behind him as a hero. It also gets more heat on Rollins for banning the RKO at Extreme Rules.
Orton's ongoing rivalry with Rollins is a great way for Rollins to accomplish his mission of being "the man," which was made apparent on Raw. Orton's previous status as the face of the WWE adds quality to a potential victory by Rollins. Rollins would officially be establishing himself as the new face of the WWE in the eyes of The Authority as well as the fans, since Orton holds a big victory over him at WrestleMania 31.
The Orton-Rollins feud dates back months, and a Cage Match at Extreme Rules makes for the perfect setting to write the final chapter. A Rollins win would be more than his successful first title defense; it will mean success in both a battle and a war.
The Orton-Rollins war furthered the well-known notion that they are two elite workers with tremendous chemistry together. In addition to the storyline benefits that come with defeating Orton, Rollins also has the potential for a great match that will further increase his stock and add credibility. Rollins is an effective chicken heel, but no one will take him seriously as a champion in that role unless he has elite matches. He is perfectly capable of doing so, and Orton makes for an ideal jumping-off point in Rollins' first WWE World Heavyweight Championship title defense.
Rollins needs Orton to establish himself as world championship material early in his run. Thus far, Orton is doing his part to set Rollins up for one of the most important wins of his career.
Randy Orton Is an Ideal Opponent to Legitimize Seth Rollins as Champion
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