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I like Randy Orton as a babyface, but it's just a shame that they don't really ever seem to have him do anything. There are some great fresh programs for Orton in the wings however:
* Kevin Owens would have an interesting dynamic with Orton. It'd be similar to the Cena/Orton dynamic of a WWE-polish guy fighting a dude with an edgy image, except Orton's got that sharpness to his character too. A nasty feud where Owens is trying to powerbomb Orton on the ring apron and Orton is trying to punt Owens' skull could be a lot of fun.
* Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton is also a fresh feud. Orton's not the sort to play nice with Wyatt and sell himself as being afraid. This stand up and fight attitude could ignite a hot program with Wyatt, Harper, Strowman and maybe Rowan. I've always liked the idea of Orton needing to find allies against The Wyatt Family, and finding pickings slim due to his standoffish nature. Cody Rhodes would step up because he'd have his own issues with The Wyatt Family, even though Cody and Orton acknowledge that they have a buried hatred for each other.
* Orton vs. Cody Rhodes itself is actually a program I've wanted to see since both men have grown their personalities out a bit more. Orton is now more of a bad-ass loner, and Cody has much more tenure behind him. I think it could be a legitimately interesting WrestleMania program one year.
* Orton vs. Lesnar is fresh. I don't know why it doesn't appeal to me as much as other Orton or Lesnar matches though. I think it's something to do with how their ring styles mesh in my mind, or the potential blandness of their interactions. But you have to mention it.
* This might be unpopular, but instead of seeing Lesnar vs. Undertaker at WrestleMania AGAIN, I've been thinking about the idea of "Team Undertaker vs. Team Lesnar." Yes, Taker has only wrestled singles matches at WrestleMania, but the streak is now over. Taker and Lesnar leading two forces into battle against each other could be fairly epic and get more people in such a high-profile match. It'd just be providing them all focus so that it all matters. Orton would be an interesting choice for Team Lesnar. Paul Heyman could very easily label Orton the prototype of what a wrestler should be (and Heyman has legitimately praised Orton along those lines in the past), and there's also the history of Taker and Orton's past to exploit.
I'll give real booking a shot later, but I think the hottest they could make him is if they highlighted his issues with The Authority, and had them declare that until Orton joins them, he will never get another shot at the WWE World Heavyweight Title. It'd sell Orton as a commodity strong enough that Triple H and Stephanie desperately want him, and it also explains why he is not always in the World Title match, which also keeps Orton challenging a fresh concept.
Plus, when it comes time for things like the Royal Rumble or Money in the Bank, eyes will be on Orton to see if he can override The Authority's decree by landing himself an undeniable shot.
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