Randy Orton is having a really bad run of form this year

[EoE: Well There's Your Problem]

I think I might have brought this up in other threads recently (or in its own thread, I don't know... I tried to check, but the search thing here is always glitchy), but has anyone else noticed that with Orton in 2014? For someone who is usually one of the most pushed guys on the roster... he doesn't really win that much anymore, does he? Let's compare and contrast with guys like Ziggler, Wyatt and Cesaro, who we often cite as guys who are constantly having bad runs...

Ziggler? 26 TV wins for the year, 17 since WrestleMania
Wyatt? 26 TV wins for the year, 12 since WM
Cesaro? 27 TV wins for the year, 17 since WM
Orton? 10 TV wins for the year, 5 since WM

Now to be fair, Orton has had only about half as many TV matches this year as those guys, but the numbers don't lie, and they spell disaster for Orton. (The funny thing is that after all that, he was STILL considered the top candidate for the title shot at SummerSlam before circumstance gave the shot to Lesnar. )

I assume nobody's really noticing this either because Orton is one of the established guys that most people likely WANT to lose more (most likely to one of the other three talents referenced) or because he's been regularly in featured angles in the meantime. That said... This week might have been the first time for a long time that Orton just wasn't booked for RAW at all without a storyline explanation or an injury. Right now, he's not really doing anything. He might still be going with Reigns, but right now it's Rollins and Kane doing the leg work for that. He's doing the Highlight Reel next week, but that just might be a one night thing to write out Jericho.

So, what's the deal? Has Orton outlived his usefulness? Can he bounce back? Do we WANT him to bounce back? What do you think should be his role going forward?

[audiencewatching]

I don't see much progression for him at this point. He should just be putting over the younger generation.

[RBD]

I wouldn't push him as one of the top stars of the company at this point, but I still think he's a very useful talent.

Creatively, they need to do something new with him. He's slipped right back into boring methodical heel mode. Perhaps they could salvage some of the Wyatt Family's credibility by having Bray bring Orton into the fold.

[Oh Cry Me a Screwball]

Orton should really take a year off or something. He's just so stale, and he's done everything he can possibly do, and he's too "important" to drop to the US or IC titles like Sheamus can.

[Abdullah]

He's had his time and then some.

Apparently, Cena should be taking notes from the guy who sharted on his carpet.

[Germansuplex]

I don't mind Orton putting over young talent, but the way his character's been presented since his heel turn last year has been atrocious and is part of a bigger problem. WWE wants us to buy Orton (already established as an unstable, violent sociopath) and Kane (already established as a monster) as willing lackeys to the Authority, which doesn't make any sense at all (see also: Cena and Reigns being presented as anti-authority rebels). Orton is a character who shouldn't answer to anyone, especially not Triple H.

Bring back unstable heel sociopath Orton or even dangerous face Orton. Get rid of chickenshit lackey Orton. THEN have him put over young talent while still being a credible threat.

[mrbananagrabber]

When you win the world title at 24 or whatever, there's not much else to do 10 years later.

[Germansuplex]

Aug 28, 2014 7:00:07 GMT -5 mrbananagrabber said:

When you win the world title at 24 or whatever, there's not much else to do 10 years later.

Try and say that to Brock Lesnar's face.

[turkeysandwich]

This is why it sucks that WWE hasn't any competition. In the old days, Orton could have gone to WCW, been their champion for a while, feuded with new guys.

[mrbananagrabber]

Aug 28, 2014 7:03:16 GMT -5 Germansuplex said:

Aug 28, 2014 7:00:07 GMT -5 mrbananagrabber said:

When you win the world title at 24 or whatever, there's not much else to do 10 years later.

Try and say that to Brock Lesnar's face.

It helps taking about a decade off.

["Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay]

Aug 28, 2014 7:46:27 GMT -5 mrbananagrabber said:

Aug 28, 2014 7:03:16 GMT -5 Germansuplex said:

Try and say that to Brock Lesnar's face.

It helps taking about a decade off.

And failing at football... and winning Japanese titles... and winning at legit fighting...

[Sparkybob]

Aug 28, 2014 7:50:15 GMT -5 "Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay said:

Aug 28, 2014 7:46:27 GMT -5 mrbananagrabber said:

It helps taking about a decade off.

And failing at football... and winning Japanese titles... and winning at legit fighting...

Randy Orton went to papers though.

[Bo Rida]

I think he and Kane are only a level or two above the stooges at the moment, they might as well have an evening gown match.
Even as WWE champion he couldn't win a big match without outside help.

The often mentioned idea of Sheamus taking his place in The Authority would be best for all involved, taking a couple of months off and returning as a face would be best and judging by recent events WWE will need him to rebuild the heels.

["Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay]

Aug 28, 2014 7:58:38 GMT -5 Sparkybob said:

Aug 28, 2014 7:50:15 GMT -5 "Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay said:

And failing at football... and winning Japanese titles... and winning at legit fighting...

Randy Orton went to papers though.

Only because he had to.

[cabbageboy]

Orton is in desperate need of a face turn. Authority Randy the boring heel is a terrible character and hasn't even gotten him over when he was champion. That's the sad part about Bryan's run last year. He even noted that he had no problem getting jobbed to Orton but the bigger problem was that the feud wasn't doing anything for Randy either.

[Session Moth is over]

I wish he would show more emotion. Years back he did when he was the legend killer. He was fantastic then. Now though, he strolls to the ring with that blank look on his face and I'm bored before his match ever begins.

A few months off coming back maybe with a newer look, different theme music and a different attitude could do him the world of good.

[spagett]

You'd hope it's the end of them pushing Orton as one of their top stars. I've never been a fan of his, he's always seemed to be one of Vince's favourites which is why he's been pushed so strongly for over 10 years despite never really being a big draw, but at the this point he's seemingly done everything he can do. It would make sense if his days as a top guy were winding to a close.

This is WWE though, they could put together another 6 month Orton vs Cena feud for all I know.

[Sparkybob]

Aug 28, 2014 8:14:27 GMT -5 "Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay said:

Aug 28, 2014 7:58:38 GMT -5 Sparkybob said:

Randy Orton went to papers though.

Only because he had to.

I don't know how you can say that man doesn't have a mean streak in him if he went to the papers.

[Ben Wyatt]

Aug 28, 2014 8:59:28 GMT -5 cabbageboy said:

Orton is in desperate need of a face turn. Authority Randy the boring heel is a terrible character and hasn't even gotten him over when he was champion. That's the sad part about Bryan's run last year. He even noted that he had no problem getting jobbed to Orton but the bigger problem was that the feud wasn't doing anything for Randy either.

I kinda feel for Orton, because he *desperately* lobbied for the heel turn for quite a bit. He has the ability to be a good heel, but the Authority angle has done him absolutely no favors.

[berlynwright]

Aug 28, 2014 5:26:46 GMT -5 audiencewatching said:

I don't see much progression for him at this point. He should just be putting over the younger generation.

Orton is 34. Just a year older than 'young guys' like Bryan

he needs to turn face. Lesnar vs Orton could be awesome