We've had John Morrison and his multi-materialed trousers. We've had Daniel Bryan getting pushed one week and disappearing the next. We've had Zack Ryder fist pumping his way through the glass ceiling. John Cena's been as reliable, and as reliably despised, as ever. Mark Henry's surprised everyone. Cody Rhodes has put on a mask. Rey Mysterio's carried on wearing a mask. Christian has made me cry. CM Punk has made me cheer. But there can only be one.
And the Sammy goes to...
Randy Orton
Oh my God! Randall Keith Orton out of nowhere!
At the start of year, Randy Orton was WWE Champion. I don't know when he won the belt, or how, or who from. It's just of those things that was.
I'm sitting in Tastycles living room with Lee and we're waiting for the Royal Rumble. Phoenix wasn't there yet, because I know that's your first question out of the gate. We're agreed that none of us particularly like nor dislike The Miz. There's a silent agreement that CM Punk is the best thing since sliced bread. Randy Orton?
"Randy Orton's so boring. I know he's 'supposed' to be boring, but that still means he's boring."
We all solemnly nod. Yes, this will do. This will be our consensus on Randy Orton.
It's not like Orton's gone under any sort of caterpillar-to-butterfly metamorphosis. He's still essentially the same character, and the same wrestler, that he was last year. Yet when I think of how much I enjoyed Randy Orton in 2010 and how much I've enjoyed Randy Orton in 2011, it's like night and day. I agree - it makes no god damn sense.
Orton this year just had the Midas touch. Correction; Orton this year - after the Royal Rumble - had the Midas touch. Worth a watch every time he stepped into a ring. CM Punk, Dolph Ziggler, Christian, Cody Rhodes, Sheamus, Wade Barrett, Mark Henry (Mark Henry!). Ridiculous. Sure, I was just talking about how he made me so angry that I wanted to hit him, but that's in the past, man! Randy Orton's my boy now. Not in the house slave sense; more in the "I think he's an accomplished wrestler" sense.