Posted in: Mr. Tito
TITO DAILY - What is with WWE's Love of Randy Orton?
By Mr. Tito
Jan 27, 2012 - 12:29:10 AM

CONTACT MR. TITO - Email: [email protected] - Twitter: @titowrestling - Join LoPForums.com: Feedback Thread

--------------------

Heading into Royal Rumble, I'm alarmed that the Rumble match already has a winner penciled in. Whether you believe his back injury is severe, minor than it's being reported, or if it's a complete work for his storyline with Wade Barrett, it seems very likely that Randy Orton is winning the Rumble match and will go on to probably win a World Title at Wrestlemania 28. Reportedly, Orton was supposed to miss 6 months due to this injury, but the WWE was reportedly considering having Orton win the Royal Rumble and then giving him time off before Wrestlemania 28 and lighten his schedule after WM 28.

Injury angle or not, I have to question the WWE's judgment on Randy Orton. I just don't understand why the WWE feels that Orton has to be pushed HARD and non-stop as a babyface. In a face role, like for me to admit it or not, but Randy Orton is NOT a draw. You don't see him booming merchandise sales and the Smackdown brand has been a weak touring brand with Orton as the "draw" on the houseshows. And that's not to ridicule Orton, whom I've become quite fond of as an in-ring worker for the past 2 years.

But never in his career has he proven to be a babyface draw, despite the repeated attempts. He's a 9-freakin' time champion and you wouldn't notice because his World Title reigns do not stick out. In fact, I'd argue his tenure as a Main Eventer has been a letdown, though not to his fault because the WWE creative team have poorly used him. Recently, I'd argue that he's had a weak Main Event supporting cast on Smackdown to carry.

To push him HARD as a babyface heading into Wrestlemania 28 as the #1 Contender due to the Royal Rumble, in my opinion, is wasting an opportunity for another wrestler who might need the Royal Rumble rub or is actually over. How much did Orton's 2009 Royal Rumble win help out his career?

In my opinion, the WWE is using Randy Orton poorly to end 2011 and to begin 2012. With his babyface run not working, the only obvious solution to boost Orton's stock would be to turn him HEEL!

When Randy Orton was a heel previously, his in-ring ability did NOT match his persona. Even in 2003-2004 with Evolution, his snobby heel character had potential but Orton was still green as a main event capable wrestler that it exposed him repeatedly. Orton's in-ring ability has improved with age and if the WWE were to return him to the snobby heel persona, they could have serious money in Randy Orton. Especially as the younger Main Event heel projects, Miz/Alberto Del Rio/Dolph Zigger aren't getting over.

The likes of CM Punk and John Cena are THIRSTY for a heel with Orton's in-ring talent and being a known commodity as Orton actually is. Both Punk and Cena are struggling with the Del Rio/Miz/Ziggler 3-headed monster because each of those 3 lacks something to complete them as main eventers, be it experience, a resume of legitimate wins, and the ability to make fans react by putting more butts in seats.

Something to think about as the WWE needs to figure out what to do after Wrestlemania 28... Because otherwise, keeping him as a babyface on the Smackdown brand is just wasting a great talent.

CONTACT MR. TITO - Email: [email protected] - Twitter: @titowrestling - Join LoPForums.com: Feedback Thread

BLOG is TITO Archive on LoPForums.com

© Mr. Tito 1998 - 2012