Schlomey
01-23-2013, 12:49 PM
I recently watched The Evolution of Randy Orton on Netflix. He spent time in his video talking about never being satisfied with his in-ring work, especially at Wrestlemania. He went on to say that he feels like he has never really had a Mark Out Wrestlemania Moment which led me to this thread.
I just finished watching and live reviewing every Orton match from every Wrestlemania since his debut at Wrestlemania 20 to decide for myself. Has Orton had a great Wrestlemania match? Has he captivated the audience and delivered a “moment of a lifetime” Wrestlemania Moment? Read on and see my point of view and enjoy the matches with links below and decide for yourself.
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Rock & Sock Connection vs Evolution – Wrestlemania 20
<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="360" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x60xx5"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x60xx5_the-rock-mick-foley-vs-evolution-pa_sport" target="_blank">The Rock & Mick Foley vs Evolution part 1...</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/Rocky_TheRock_Maivia" target="_blank">Rocky_TheRock_Maivia</a></i>
<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="360" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x618fk"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x618fk_the-rock-mick-foley-vs-evolution-pa_sport" target="_blank">The Rock & Mick Foley vs Evolution part 2...</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/Rocky_TheRock_Maivia" target="_blank">Rocky_TheRock_Maivia</a></i>
This was Randy Orton’s first Wrestlemania event. The feud was good and it really helped get Orton over by having legends such as Flair, Rock & Foley to work with. Orton drew good heat when he made his way into the match especially after he left the ring when Foley got the tag. His in ring work is a lot different than it is today. He is kind of generic and works at a faster pace than he does these days. Half way through the match I am noticing that Orton is the blandest character in this match. Flair has his strut and his WOOOOO, Foley has his Bang Bang, The Rock has everything, hell even Batista has his rope shaking and flexing. Orton really doesn’t stand out but maybe that is a good thing since he was so obviously green at this event. As Foley pulled out the sock Randy Orton his a vicious RKO out of nowhere for the win giving him a major rub from this match of legends (and Batista).
Final Thought: I had never seen this match. I loved it. The best parts featured Ric Flair and The Rock and sadly Orton was an afterthought until the very end. Orton spent very little time in the ring but did come out of this looking strong getting the pin on Foley. A great start to the career of Orton and with his lack o f experience I feel that he did exactly the job he needed to do here.
Match Rating: 8/10
Randy Rating: 5/10
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Randy Orton vs The Undertaker – Wrestlemania 21
<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="330" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/xw5g8b"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xw5g8b_the-undertaker-vs-randy-orton-wrestlemania-21-full-match_sport" target="_blank">The Undertaker Vs Randy Orton Wrestlemania 21...</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/WWETNAHDUploader" target="_blank">WWETNAHDUploader</a></i>
The Legend Killer vs The Streak. Orton had a lot riding on this match. For Randy to have this opportunity so early in his career it really was a big rub and showed the confidence that the WWE had in Orton. The big match feel was present in the air and the arena but I don’t think anyone thought Orton would get the win. To me, it wasn’t about him getting the win as much as it was to prove himself as a solo competitor in the spotlight of Wrestlemania and to see if he could hang by himself in a “big match” environment. Undertaker did a great job at getting Orton over by selling his work and really making the RKO seem like a threat that could be hit at any time. Once Orton got the upper hand he stopped and did his patented pose and the crowd responded with a lot of heel heat and a decent “Orton Sucks” chant. The crowd is really into this match. The interference of his father “Cowboy” Bob Orton brought even more heat to the conclusion of this match but once the Undertaker sat up it was over for Orton, even after a reversal RKO out of nowhere.
Final Thoughts: I’d like to say that Orton took Undertaker to the limit but we all know now what Undertaker’s limit is at Wrestlemania. While this match will fall in the middle of the pack for Undertaker fans this will go down as the night Randy Orton solidified himself as a main event player. The last 5 minutes of this match was easily 5 of the greatest minutes of his career. This may be as close to a Wrestlemania moment as he ever got.
Match Rating: 7/10
Randy Rating: 8/10
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Randy Orton vs Rey Mysterio vs Kurt Angle – Wrestlemania 22
<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="360" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x4o5op"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4o5op_wrestlemania-22-kurt-angle-vs-rey-m_news" target="_blank">Wrestlemania 22 Kurt angle vs Rey Mysterio vs...</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/deminatrix" target="_blank">deminatrix</a></i>
First off I want to say that I absolutely LOVED Randy’s entrance with the pose and the pyro. A very cocky Randy Orton made his way into the ring for this World Heavyweight Title Triple Threat match. This was a very fast paced match and the crowd was hot as always in Chicago. The best parts of this match mostly featured Angle and Mysterio but Orton delivered an RKO out of nowhere on Angle mid-match that really had the crowd hot. The match was so fast paced that it felt over before it began. So many close calls that when Mysterio got the win over Orton I totally expected another kick out. Wish this match would have continued a few more minutes but I did enjoy every second of it.
Final Thought: No “Wrestlemania Moment” for Orton in this match as he was mostly an afterthought when compared to the performances of Angle and Mysterio. But obviously with the passing of Eddie Guerrero Mysterio was booked strong.
Match Rating: 8/10
Randy Rating: 5/10
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Money In The Bank Ladder Match – Wrestlemania 23
<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="360" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x1mx8x"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1mx8x_money-in-the-bank-from-wrestlemania_sport" target="_blank">Money in the Bank from Wrestlemania 23</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/Fox-Watcher" target="_blank">Fox-Watcher</a></i>
One of my favorite matches of the year, Randy Orton stepped away from the main event scene and joined the likes of Edge, Hardy, Booker T and Mr. Kennedy in the Money in the Bank ladder match. Within a minute of the bell, Orton found himself on the top of the ladder with Finlay but sadly a botched spot quieted the crowd. Not a great start for Orton and after that he was out of the spotlight for the next several minutes. 7 minutes into the match and Orton has yet to do anything besides take a spinebuster, a spear and get hit with a ladder. Obviously there were some Wrestlemania Moments to happen during this match but nothing compares to Jeff Hardy taking out Edge from atop a ladder though a ladder on the arena floor. At the half way point Randy Orton did start gaining some momentum by going on an RKO streak but nothing came of it until Orton delivered an RKO to CM Punk from atop a ladder leading to Randy getting squashed by Booker and returned to the arena floor. That was the last time Randy was part of the match.
Final Thought: While he didn’t achieve the briefcase and he spent most of the match on the arena floor I will be nice and say that the RKO to Punk from the top of the ladder was CLOSE to a Wrestlemania Moment but sadly even that was overshadowed by Jeff Hardy and Edge.
Match Rating: 8/10
Randy Rating: 4/10
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Randy Orton vs HHH vs John Cena – Wrestlemania 24
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This is a non-main event Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship. Sadly it had to follow Flair vs HBK in what would be Flair’s retirement. Randy walked in to this huge match as the reigning WWE champion so he had that going for him. As soon as the bell rang Orton drew instant heat by attacking HHH with a championship belt shot to the face. Not often that these 3 guys don’t go on last especially with the WWE championship on the line. Mid match I’m finally starting to see hints of Orton acting like the Viper. Slow, plodding and using some of his now-standard moves. While Cena was on HHH’s shoulders Orton delivered a very effective cross body block from the top rope. Nothing special but definitely not something we see often from Orton. You can tell he is more intense and trying to steal the show and that is exactly what he needed to do. Orton delivered a 2nd rope DDT on both men and then got in to the now infamous strike position. First time I have seen that thus far. Orton hit a mid match RKO (again out of nowhere) on HHH moments before Cena hit Super Cena status and locked Orton in the STF(u). Orton then spent the rest of the match hurt from the STF until the almost shocking punt on HHH and covering Cena for the 3 count.
Final Thoughts: A really strong match by all 3 guys but did lack the big match feel from other encounters I have already watched. All 3 men took turns being alpha male in this match so pin-pointing the best performance is impossible. I will say that Randy was more aggressive than he is lately and worked at a faster pace for most of the match. Enjoyable match and I feel it was one of Orton’s best matches.
Match Rating: 7/10
Randy Rating: 7/10
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Randy Orton vs HHH – Wrestlemania 25
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LXEmYr3GZZs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Right off the bat before I even start the match I have a few comments. This match should never have followed Undertaker vs HBK. I don’t think the WWE knew what they were getting themselves into when they did that. Also, I remember this feud very well. By the time Wrestlemania came around the feud had been going on for what seemed like a lifetime and by Wrestlemania I remember already “being over it”. It’s been a few years so I’m excited to get into this match and see how it goes as a standalone main event and not the match that followed HBK vs Taker.
The 5 minute video package before the match really set the stage for this huge match. The creation of Orton’s patented punt kick happened during the build to Wrestlemania and it was obviously at the forefront of this match. Within the first 2 minutes of the match HHH hit Orton with a Pedigree but not before Randy hit an RKO. This match is the first time we see Orton as he is today in full force, slow, plodding, cold, calculating and intense. By the middle of the match the tempo has slowed down to the typical snail’s pace of most of Orton’s matches these days. Loads of rest holds and stalking going on here. By the 2/3rds mark the crowd is silent until Orton rears back for the punt but as soon as he doesn’t connect we are back to crickets in Texas. The match moves to the outside and even a table spot didn’t go as planned as the table didn’t break to give the fans something to cheer for. Back in the ring Randy takes control for the next several minutes until the Game hits Orton with Sledgie and then a Pedigree for the win.
Final Thoughts: This match should not have main evented a Wrestlemania. Any other PPV this match would probably have been considered a classic but for Mania it lacked feeling, emotion and was too damn long for as slow as they were working. It had built in emotion and feeling so for them to loose that during the match was very sad to see. This would also prove to be Randy’s last shot at main eventing Wrestemania to this very day.
Match Rating: 5/10
Randy Rating: 4/10
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Randy Orton vs Cody Rhodes vs Ted DiBiase – Wrestlemania 26
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Lljk-MsCe2Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
From main eventing the Silver Anniversary of Wrestlemania to bottom of the card, Randy Orton took a severe nose dive in the hierarchy of WWE. After Legacy split this match was booked for Wrestlemania pitting Orton vs Rhodes and DiBiase as basically a handicapped match even though it was called a triple threat.
DiBiase and Rhodes worked over Orton in “pack of dog” style for the first several minutes of this match. I will say that Orton did a great job of getting Cody and Ted over by selling all of their work. By the half way mark the cohesiveness of Ted & Cody fell apart and it became a true Triple Threat match and Orton took over while the crowd cheered loudly for him. Michael Cole announced “we’ve never seen this!” as Orton hit the other guys with a double rope hung DDT. As you have already read it happened against Cena and HHH just 2 years prior at Wrestlemania. Orton coils and thinks PUNT as the crowd gets behind him. This is the most over Orton has been at Wrestlemania thus far which is shocking how far he had dropped in the card. Orton hits DiBiase with the RKO and it’s over.
Final Thought: This was a good match. It had great card placement for what they wanted to accomplish and even though Orton won, all 3 guys had really good showings. Nothing special, though. This match could have happened at any PPV with similar results but Orton did the best he could with what he was given.
Match Rating: 6/10
Randy Rating: 6/10
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Randy Orton vs CM Punk – Wrestlemania 27
<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="270" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/xrz8p5"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xrz8p5_cm-punk-vs-randy-orton-wwe-wrestlemania-xxvii-2011_sport" target="_blank">Cm Punk Vs Randy Orton WWE Wrestlemania XXVII 2011</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/dm_4ff32973a7357" target="_blank">dm_4ff32973a7357</a></i>
Another grudge match similar to last year we have Orton (face) vs CM Punk (Nexus heel leader) in a redemption match after Punk cost Orton the title at Royal Rumble against The Miz. This match landed right in the middle of the card which I feel is where it belonged. It was a standard 1 on 1 match featuring both guys performing their top moves but neither guy really doing anything worth of a Wrestlemania Moment. Punk spent the majority of the match working over Ortons hurt leg and Orton spent the majority of the match selling the pain even on his offense. Best moment occurred when Punk came near a down Orton and pulled away within a second of getting hit with the RKO. Punk smiled it off and attempted a top rope maneuver but ended up getting caught with a mid air RKO (out of nowhere) for the win.
Final Thoughts: A good match with a great finish. Happy it was a Wrestlemania mid card match and really featured the strengths of both of these guys. The RKO from the top rope was sudden as it should be and really popped the crowd. I’m on the edge calling it a Wrestlemania Moment since we had seen that before a few times and some even better (looking at you Evan Bourne). Since it was awesome but not the first time we seen it I’ll be an asshole and say, not quite.
Match Rating: 7/10
Randy Rating: 6/10
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Randy Orton vs Kane – Wrestlemania 28
No embed: http://www.video.az/en/video/26058/Wrestlemania-28-randy-orton-vs.-kane-2012-part-1
The bottom of the barrel for Randy Orton here. Kane attacked Orton after he was disgusted with himself for shaking Randy’s hand a long ass time ago. That’s basically it. The action was slow and plodding by both men and really strikes me as a TV match more than a Wrestlemania match. Kane dominated most of the match with Orton getting in some offense leading to nothing more than Orton getting off his standard moves. Orton missed a punt and then the action reached the top rope where Kane delivered a 2nd chokeslam, this time from the top rope of course, for the win.
Final Thoughts: Randy did not have a good showing. They were trying to book Kane strong since his return to WWE after a short absence and return with the mask. His heel turn lasted all of 2 feuds before the WWE gave up and paired him with Daniel Bryan. This match was barely good enough for free TV and only the final move of the match really made it feel “big”.
Match Rating: 4/10
Randy Rating: 4/10
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So after reviewing all of Randy Orton’s Wrestlemania matches I will not disagree with him. He really hasn’t had a spectacular string of Wrestlemania matches and hasn’t achieved that elusive Wrestlemania Moment he so desperately wants. He has came close on several occasions but most of them happened very early on in his career.
Which leads to this question: Will Randy Orton ever main event a Wrestlemania again and does his style of wrestling come with a built in Wrestlemania Moment?
I just finished watching and live reviewing every Orton match from every Wrestlemania since his debut at Wrestlemania 20 to decide for myself. Has Orton had a great Wrestlemania match? Has he captivated the audience and delivered a “moment of a lifetime” Wrestlemania Moment? Read on and see my point of view and enjoy the matches with links below and decide for yourself.
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Rock & Sock Connection vs Evolution – Wrestlemania 20
<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="360" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x60xx5"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x60xx5_the-rock-mick-foley-vs-evolution-pa_sport" target="_blank">The Rock & Mick Foley vs Evolution part 1...</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/Rocky_TheRock_Maivia" target="_blank">Rocky_TheRock_Maivia</a></i>
<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="360" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x618fk"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x618fk_the-rock-mick-foley-vs-evolution-pa_sport" target="_blank">The Rock & Mick Foley vs Evolution part 2...</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/Rocky_TheRock_Maivia" target="_blank">Rocky_TheRock_Maivia</a></i>
This was Randy Orton’s first Wrestlemania event. The feud was good and it really helped get Orton over by having legends such as Flair, Rock & Foley to work with. Orton drew good heat when he made his way into the match especially after he left the ring when Foley got the tag. His in ring work is a lot different than it is today. He is kind of generic and works at a faster pace than he does these days. Half way through the match I am noticing that Orton is the blandest character in this match. Flair has his strut and his WOOOOO, Foley has his Bang Bang, The Rock has everything, hell even Batista has his rope shaking and flexing. Orton really doesn’t stand out but maybe that is a good thing since he was so obviously green at this event. As Foley pulled out the sock Randy Orton his a vicious RKO out of nowhere for the win giving him a major rub from this match of legends (and Batista).
Final Thought: I had never seen this match. I loved it. The best parts featured Ric Flair and The Rock and sadly Orton was an afterthought until the very end. Orton spent very little time in the ring but did come out of this looking strong getting the pin on Foley. A great start to the career of Orton and with his lack o f experience I feel that he did exactly the job he needed to do here.
Match Rating: 8/10
Randy Rating: 5/10
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Randy Orton vs The Undertaker – Wrestlemania 21
<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="330" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/xw5g8b"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xw5g8b_the-undertaker-vs-randy-orton-wrestlemania-21-full-match_sport" target="_blank">The Undertaker Vs Randy Orton Wrestlemania 21...</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/WWETNAHDUploader" target="_blank">WWETNAHDUploader</a></i>
The Legend Killer vs The Streak. Orton had a lot riding on this match. For Randy to have this opportunity so early in his career it really was a big rub and showed the confidence that the WWE had in Orton. The big match feel was present in the air and the arena but I don’t think anyone thought Orton would get the win. To me, it wasn’t about him getting the win as much as it was to prove himself as a solo competitor in the spotlight of Wrestlemania and to see if he could hang by himself in a “big match” environment. Undertaker did a great job at getting Orton over by selling his work and really making the RKO seem like a threat that could be hit at any time. Once Orton got the upper hand he stopped and did his patented pose and the crowd responded with a lot of heel heat and a decent “Orton Sucks” chant. The crowd is really into this match. The interference of his father “Cowboy” Bob Orton brought even more heat to the conclusion of this match but once the Undertaker sat up it was over for Orton, even after a reversal RKO out of nowhere.
Final Thoughts: I’d like to say that Orton took Undertaker to the limit but we all know now what Undertaker’s limit is at Wrestlemania. While this match will fall in the middle of the pack for Undertaker fans this will go down as the night Randy Orton solidified himself as a main event player. The last 5 minutes of this match was easily 5 of the greatest minutes of his career. This may be as close to a Wrestlemania moment as he ever got.
Match Rating: 7/10
Randy Rating: 8/10
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Randy Orton vs Rey Mysterio vs Kurt Angle – Wrestlemania 22
<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="360" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x4o5op"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4o5op_wrestlemania-22-kurt-angle-vs-rey-m_news" target="_blank">Wrestlemania 22 Kurt angle vs Rey Mysterio vs...</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/deminatrix" target="_blank">deminatrix</a></i>
First off I want to say that I absolutely LOVED Randy’s entrance with the pose and the pyro. A very cocky Randy Orton made his way into the ring for this World Heavyweight Title Triple Threat match. This was a very fast paced match and the crowd was hot as always in Chicago. The best parts of this match mostly featured Angle and Mysterio but Orton delivered an RKO out of nowhere on Angle mid-match that really had the crowd hot. The match was so fast paced that it felt over before it began. So many close calls that when Mysterio got the win over Orton I totally expected another kick out. Wish this match would have continued a few more minutes but I did enjoy every second of it.
Final Thought: No “Wrestlemania Moment” for Orton in this match as he was mostly an afterthought when compared to the performances of Angle and Mysterio. But obviously with the passing of Eddie Guerrero Mysterio was booked strong.
Match Rating: 8/10
Randy Rating: 5/10
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Money In The Bank Ladder Match – Wrestlemania 23
<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="360" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x1mx8x"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1mx8x_money-in-the-bank-from-wrestlemania_sport" target="_blank">Money in the Bank from Wrestlemania 23</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/Fox-Watcher" target="_blank">Fox-Watcher</a></i>
One of my favorite matches of the year, Randy Orton stepped away from the main event scene and joined the likes of Edge, Hardy, Booker T and Mr. Kennedy in the Money in the Bank ladder match. Within a minute of the bell, Orton found himself on the top of the ladder with Finlay but sadly a botched spot quieted the crowd. Not a great start for Orton and after that he was out of the spotlight for the next several minutes. 7 minutes into the match and Orton has yet to do anything besides take a spinebuster, a spear and get hit with a ladder. Obviously there were some Wrestlemania Moments to happen during this match but nothing compares to Jeff Hardy taking out Edge from atop a ladder though a ladder on the arena floor. At the half way point Randy Orton did start gaining some momentum by going on an RKO streak but nothing came of it until Orton delivered an RKO to CM Punk from atop a ladder leading to Randy getting squashed by Booker and returned to the arena floor. That was the last time Randy was part of the match.
Final Thought: While he didn’t achieve the briefcase and he spent most of the match on the arena floor I will be nice and say that the RKO to Punk from the top of the ladder was CLOSE to a Wrestlemania Moment but sadly even that was overshadowed by Jeff Hardy and Edge.
Match Rating: 8/10
Randy Rating: 4/10
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Randy Orton vs HHH vs John Cena – Wrestlemania 24
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This is a non-main event Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship. Sadly it had to follow Flair vs HBK in what would be Flair’s retirement. Randy walked in to this huge match as the reigning WWE champion so he had that going for him. As soon as the bell rang Orton drew instant heat by attacking HHH with a championship belt shot to the face. Not often that these 3 guys don’t go on last especially with the WWE championship on the line. Mid match I’m finally starting to see hints of Orton acting like the Viper. Slow, plodding and using some of his now-standard moves. While Cena was on HHH’s shoulders Orton delivered a very effective cross body block from the top rope. Nothing special but definitely not something we see often from Orton. You can tell he is more intense and trying to steal the show and that is exactly what he needed to do. Orton delivered a 2nd rope DDT on both men and then got in to the now infamous strike position. First time I have seen that thus far. Orton hit a mid match RKO (again out of nowhere) on HHH moments before Cena hit Super Cena status and locked Orton in the STF(u). Orton then spent the rest of the match hurt from the STF until the almost shocking punt on HHH and covering Cena for the 3 count.
Final Thoughts: A really strong match by all 3 guys but did lack the big match feel from other encounters I have already watched. All 3 men took turns being alpha male in this match so pin-pointing the best performance is impossible. I will say that Randy was more aggressive than he is lately and worked at a faster pace for most of the match. Enjoyable match and I feel it was one of Orton’s best matches.
Match Rating: 7/10
Randy Rating: 7/10
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Randy Orton vs HHH – Wrestlemania 25
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LXEmYr3GZZs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Right off the bat before I even start the match I have a few comments. This match should never have followed Undertaker vs HBK. I don’t think the WWE knew what they were getting themselves into when they did that. Also, I remember this feud very well. By the time Wrestlemania came around the feud had been going on for what seemed like a lifetime and by Wrestlemania I remember already “being over it”. It’s been a few years so I’m excited to get into this match and see how it goes as a standalone main event and not the match that followed HBK vs Taker.
The 5 minute video package before the match really set the stage for this huge match. The creation of Orton’s patented punt kick happened during the build to Wrestlemania and it was obviously at the forefront of this match. Within the first 2 minutes of the match HHH hit Orton with a Pedigree but not before Randy hit an RKO. This match is the first time we see Orton as he is today in full force, slow, plodding, cold, calculating and intense. By the middle of the match the tempo has slowed down to the typical snail’s pace of most of Orton’s matches these days. Loads of rest holds and stalking going on here. By the 2/3rds mark the crowd is silent until Orton rears back for the punt but as soon as he doesn’t connect we are back to crickets in Texas. The match moves to the outside and even a table spot didn’t go as planned as the table didn’t break to give the fans something to cheer for. Back in the ring Randy takes control for the next several minutes until the Game hits Orton with Sledgie and then a Pedigree for the win.
Final Thoughts: This match should not have main evented a Wrestlemania. Any other PPV this match would probably have been considered a classic but for Mania it lacked feeling, emotion and was too damn long for as slow as they were working. It had built in emotion and feeling so for them to loose that during the match was very sad to see. This would also prove to be Randy’s last shot at main eventing Wrestemania to this very day.
Match Rating: 5/10
Randy Rating: 4/10
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Randy Orton vs Cody Rhodes vs Ted DiBiase – Wrestlemania 26
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From main eventing the Silver Anniversary of Wrestlemania to bottom of the card, Randy Orton took a severe nose dive in the hierarchy of WWE. After Legacy split this match was booked for Wrestlemania pitting Orton vs Rhodes and DiBiase as basically a handicapped match even though it was called a triple threat.
DiBiase and Rhodes worked over Orton in “pack of dog” style for the first several minutes of this match. I will say that Orton did a great job of getting Cody and Ted over by selling all of their work. By the half way mark the cohesiveness of Ted & Cody fell apart and it became a true Triple Threat match and Orton took over while the crowd cheered loudly for him. Michael Cole announced “we’ve never seen this!” as Orton hit the other guys with a double rope hung DDT. As you have already read it happened against Cena and HHH just 2 years prior at Wrestlemania. Orton coils and thinks PUNT as the crowd gets behind him. This is the most over Orton has been at Wrestlemania thus far which is shocking how far he had dropped in the card. Orton hits DiBiase with the RKO and it’s over.
Final Thought: This was a good match. It had great card placement for what they wanted to accomplish and even though Orton won, all 3 guys had really good showings. Nothing special, though. This match could have happened at any PPV with similar results but Orton did the best he could with what he was given.
Match Rating: 6/10
Randy Rating: 6/10
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Randy Orton vs CM Punk – Wrestlemania 27
<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="270" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/xrz8p5"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xrz8p5_cm-punk-vs-randy-orton-wwe-wrestlemania-xxvii-2011_sport" target="_blank">Cm Punk Vs Randy Orton WWE Wrestlemania XXVII 2011</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/dm_4ff32973a7357" target="_blank">dm_4ff32973a7357</a></i>
Another grudge match similar to last year we have Orton (face) vs CM Punk (Nexus heel leader) in a redemption match after Punk cost Orton the title at Royal Rumble against The Miz. This match landed right in the middle of the card which I feel is where it belonged. It was a standard 1 on 1 match featuring both guys performing their top moves but neither guy really doing anything worth of a Wrestlemania Moment. Punk spent the majority of the match working over Ortons hurt leg and Orton spent the majority of the match selling the pain even on his offense. Best moment occurred when Punk came near a down Orton and pulled away within a second of getting hit with the RKO. Punk smiled it off and attempted a top rope maneuver but ended up getting caught with a mid air RKO (out of nowhere) for the win.
Final Thoughts: A good match with a great finish. Happy it was a Wrestlemania mid card match and really featured the strengths of both of these guys. The RKO from the top rope was sudden as it should be and really popped the crowd. I’m on the edge calling it a Wrestlemania Moment since we had seen that before a few times and some even better (looking at you Evan Bourne). Since it was awesome but not the first time we seen it I’ll be an asshole and say, not quite.
Match Rating: 7/10
Randy Rating: 6/10
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Randy Orton vs Kane – Wrestlemania 28
No embed: http://www.video.az/en/video/26058/Wrestlemania-28-randy-orton-vs.-kane-2012-part-1
The bottom of the barrel for Randy Orton here. Kane attacked Orton after he was disgusted with himself for shaking Randy’s hand a long ass time ago. That’s basically it. The action was slow and plodding by both men and really strikes me as a TV match more than a Wrestlemania match. Kane dominated most of the match with Orton getting in some offense leading to nothing more than Orton getting off his standard moves. Orton missed a punt and then the action reached the top rope where Kane delivered a 2nd chokeslam, this time from the top rope of course, for the win.
Final Thoughts: Randy did not have a good showing. They were trying to book Kane strong since his return to WWE after a short absence and return with the mask. His heel turn lasted all of 2 feuds before the WWE gave up and paired him with Daniel Bryan. This match was barely good enough for free TV and only the final move of the match really made it feel “big”.
Match Rating: 4/10
Randy Rating: 4/10
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So after reviewing all of Randy Orton’s Wrestlemania matches I will not disagree with him. He really hasn’t had a spectacular string of Wrestlemania matches and hasn’t achieved that elusive Wrestlemania Moment he so desperately wants. He has came close on several occasions but most of them happened very early on in his career.
Which leads to this question: Will Randy Orton ever main event a Wrestlemania again and does his style of wrestling come with a built in Wrestlemania Moment?