Is Ortons 'Viper' gimmick terrible or is it just me?

[Professor]

The last time I saw Orton was in 2004 when he acted like a normal guy, so when I recently switched back on I see Orton acting really weird. He is walking around really slowly, and constantly staring intensely at nothing in particular. He looks like hes trying to imitate a cat walk model at a versace show, but apparently hes the 'viper' some icy cold killer, and apprently he seems over with many fans cheering this funny behaviour.

I just dont see the appeal and from what ive seen its one of the worst gimmicks ever, if you could call nothingness a gimmick. I see some comparisions to stone colds rattle snake gimmick but they are total opposites. Stone cold gave out a lot of energy, in his actions and on the mic, and had charisma, while Orton doesnt do anything other than walk slowly, and stare for long periods of time like hes trying to employ some form on mind control on everyone around him. Its so boring, and contrived, like hes deliberately putting on an act, where is the character, the appeal the attraction? Are fans so desperate for anything that this kind of crap gets you over these days?

Does anyone else think his gimmick sucks?

wwe really need to loosen him up a bit, you can be a cold bad ass and act more natural and be more entertaining, and does his hair always have to be perfect, and clean shaven, and wearing those lame little trunks? They should ruff him up a bit and put some leather trousters on him, something to add character, and distinguish him from the rest of the clones on the roster.

 

[utjosh313]

Yeah, I'm a big Orton fan and was ok with it for a while, but it's starting to become humorous. At the end of RAW last week, he actually hissed at the Miz very loudly. It sounded/looked like a cat backed into a corner. I get the gimmick but he's starting to take it a little too seriously.

 

[LegendKiller716]

I agree with some of your points.

The viper gimmick is horrible with Orton as a face. And I do think as long as he is getting a face push he should be roughed up a bit more. Get some of his cockyness back. More of a badass.

On the other hand, this is not the worst gimmick ever, because Orton worked this gimmick great as a heel.

 

[MizterColemine]

you can be a cold bad ass and act more natural and be more entertaining

Actually there's a name for what is quoted above. It's called Orton before his gradual transition to face. If you were watching, you would have saw this coming a mile away, and you would have been disgusted with what you KNEW was about to happen.
Orton was my favorite wrestler in the absence of The Rock, Angle, and Jericho. And now... all I can feel is , but then ... and afterward I was like , but now when I see him I just
Sucks though because I bet you made an abrupt transition from .... to a sudden
Jokes aside, I've come to terms with it, because now theres a new top heel in the biz... and I didn't say biz with the intention of rhyming it with Miz, but it's a welcome coincidence.

FIN​

 

[The Drew Mcintyre Mark]

No i just think either since everyone likes orton you do the whole cheer for the heel gay thing, which you should be crucified for if thats your issue with orton or faces for that matter or that you are are very critical to a popular superstar ( which being critical to something and making comments about it seems to be the trend today ) which is your own fault and loss.

ive loved wrestling for as long as i can remember and ever since i saw orton in about 2004 i knew that orton was the the better of batista and himself in evolution but now that im matured and know pretty much everything about wrestling and wwe like alot of people i know that orton's viper gimmick is exactly where he should be.

its become more often that orton will strike with an RKO on raw and the crowd will go nuts, in a sense since HBK is gone and we all know that he can hit SCM out of nowhere, i guess orton is filling the void with that i could be wrong but who cares.

lastly i think Randy almost needs the viper stuff, i mean if he had a different gimmick what else what it be? just and ordinary crappy heel that goes after the champion? i think Randy "The Viper Orton is what he'll be remebered for if not winning his first world title or..... idk, Orton's gimmick now is the best it will ever be thats why you see other people post stuff on threads how if cena retires or goes away then who would be new face of the WWE or just the top face and Randy for damn sure is on there.
____________________________________________
GET USED TO IT, HE AINT GOIN NOWHERE, MY BOY.....

 

[Chicago1989]

I think this gimmick could be good, but the WWE makes this "Viper" gimmick as if Randy Orton's an actual snake. "Slithering in the ring!", "Coiling like a viper!", and "Stalking his prey!" are just some of the most stupid things I can hear for a wrestler. What is this? Animal Planet?

I also can't take Orton seriously when he cuts a promo as the "Viper". His acting is HORRIBLE and it's like he's trying too hard to be intimidating. Going from the cocky pretty boy "Legend Killer" to a stone face psycho doesn't work for me. I don't buy it.

 

[Charismatic Enigma]

Yeah, I'm right there with ya, I think Randy's current gimmick pretty much sucks. I honestly have no idea whatsoever why he's so over with the crowd. He's not that great in the ring, he doesn't really do anything funny or unpredictable. Is it his look? There have been a lot of other silent killer types, Hiedenreich, Snitsky, Koslov, how come the crowd didn't go ape for those guys?

For my money, if Orton showed up on the future endeavors list I wouldn't loose any sleep over it. I really don't think he brings anything particularly interesting to the table. Even when there's other guys I don't really like all that much like Cena or Sheamus, I can still see the value in the character and what they possess that's unique. I don't see that at all in Randy.

 

[UltimateHitman]

I just have to chime in on this one. The Viper gimmick sucks. To the guy that said he's right where he should be, um, no. The OP nailed it with his description and put it perfectly. That being said, I also heard it was better when he was a heel. Um, double no. The Viper gimmick was horrible, is horrible, and always will be horrible.

Let me put this in perspective. I've never liked Randy Orton from day one. But he just seemed more natural and a much better fit in the "Legend Killer" role. I know there's only so far you can push a legends based gimmick, but he could have kept the cocky type heel and maybe just tweaked a bit more edge to it. Could have kept the punting and mean streak, but he doesn't have to flip his head around like a ****** and pound on the ground like a brat throwing a temper tantrum.

That's another thing. If he's the Viper, and supposed to be "snake-like" what the hell is the pounding all about? Last I knew, snakes never beat the ground before they struck their victims. Just silly.

His acting IS horrible, as Chicago pointed out. His promo work is terrible and forced. At least in his prior role he had a better sounding promo.

To answer the question, no it's not just you OP. The gimmick sucks, has sucked, and always will suck. I don't give a flying rat's anus how many ppl cheer the guy for whatever reason (personally I think they put some kind of mind control substance in the concessions, but that's just me) the gimmick is horrible and needs to be shoveled off to the nearest dumpster.

 

[nerd4life]

^you clearly just dont like orton. His gimmick is fine. he is the apex predator of the wwe...he will kick anyones ass other then cena or taker. nuff sed.

LOL the drew mcintrye mark...what has drew accomplished? nothing? but be terrible? ya thats what i thought. hell be released soon. dumbass.


Ortons gimick isnt bad but i agree with what the one guy said, when you hear michael cole yelling the viper is coiled! and orton is punching the mat it is pretty ridiculous. It worked better when he wss a heel but he isnt a very outgoing person anwyays so it works for him,.

 

[JGlass]

I hate the Viper gimmick. I don't know if Orton has it in him to be anything else but this cold, calculating, predator, as none of his other gimmicks have really gotten the response that this one has. The crowd seems to be hungry for a face with a mean streak in him, and they have really gotten behind Orton for one reason or another,

However, this gimmick does nothing for him. All his promos are almost identical, all of them are about how he wants to hurt someone or how he needs to go more crazy. His ring work is also very average and it's getting tiring seeing him be virtually indestructible on a weekly basis.

I honestly don't see the appeal of Orton and his current gimmick, but until the majority of the WWE audience stop cheering for him, I think it's safe to say we will see no change.

 

[Fallen Angel 21.3]

I don't like it, the reason being there are only 2 snakes that were in the WWE. Jake The Snake Roberts and The Texas Rattlesnake Stone Cold. The reason why they got there nicknames, for Jake he moved like a snake in the ring, his strikes were on target and if he got you in the DDT it was like a python around your throat. You knew it was the end of the match. Plus Jake was the only wrestler who was cold, most of his promos you say no emotion in his face, sorta like a snake. you saw no hate, no love and no remorse for what he would do to a face or a heel in the ring. I can remember one of his promos is that a man with power doesn't have to yell, he can speak softly and everyone will listen.

Also why Austin didn't do the same thing that Jake did but i believe that when Austin beat Roberts at the 1996 King of the Ring it was like Jake was passing on the Snake gimmick onto him. The only difference was Austin didn't carry a rattlesnake with him out to the ring. Austin was like a rattlesnake, you see a rattlesnake is a snake you don't want to mess with doesn't matter if you friend or foe it will strike you. Thats how Austin acted in the ring. Didn't matter if you were his friend or his foe he would strike you if given the chance.

I will admit when i see Orton going for that RKO he does move around like a serpent but i don't see him as a viper, reason being is that i don't see Orton being Cold, in his promos i can see emotion on his face. thats not in a snake's nature to show emotion, you look at Austin and Roberts they didn't show emotions during there promos expect for Austin who always looked pissed off but thats another story.

 

[itsme123]

Let me start of by saying that I'm a Orton fan (not the biggest). IMO Orton was better as a heel and I'm statrting to get tierd of his "viper" gimmick. I had no problem with it at first but its getting old and boring real quick. My problem with it is the fact that he's way too serious all the time, he needs to lighten up a bit. Orton also lacks energy in the ring due to his gimmick if he was more energetic I think the crowd would give a bigger reaction, not saying he doesn't get one already. But guys like Cena, The Rock, Austin amp\amped up the crowd with their energy and got them involved in the match. Well but its just my opinion.

 

[GeminiJ13]

Considering Jeff Hardy calls himself the AntiChrist of ProWrestling and that TNA even hired Fat Hardy is rediculous! Tna is pathetic. Its more watered down than Natural Light Beer. Take the writers from WcW that helped sink the company and then add all the washups from WWF/WWE that cant sell to more than 5000 fans, and you have TNA. Hell, Mr.Anderson hasnt even changed his gimmick, same mic drop, same shtick. The camera work is awful, the promo's are terrible, and Tommy Dreamer should have retired ten years ago. My point being, that if Orton takes 11 seconds to deliver an RKO, so be it. He can still strike from out of nowhere and is an elite talent. Is the Viper gimmick getting old? No. There are so many different ways to play it, but I like Orton better as a heel. Its compelling to see what Orton will do next. The fact that he is even selling to the Miz must make his penis smaller. Its a goddamn disgrace!!!

 

[Professor]

Isnt it generally the rule of thumb, that the best characters are the ones which are a natural extension of the persons real character? With Orton I think he is naturally a light hearted arrogant prat, so this viper character is really the opposite of who he really is.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I've got no problem with Orton's "viper" gimmick because it has a natural feel to it. We've seen Randy Orton as the cocky, cowardly heel for a very long time. We saw that character dominate much of 2009 especially with his tired and dated feuds with John Cena & Triple H. The simple truth is Randy Orton struck me as tired and stale.

I think Orton's current character suits him. Orton has never struck me as someone that's especially warm, cuddly, friendly & likeable, which are attributes that one expects to see in a face to some degree. Orton as a cold, calculating, ruthless tough guy tweener that will do anything to get what he wants just..I don't know, it just sounds exactly right.

It's not going to change, not by a long shot because Randy Orton has never been more over in his entire career than he's been as "The Viper". He gets MASSIVE pops whenever he comes out or even if he's briefly shown for 10 seconds backstage. So, of course, since Orton is extremely over, it's fashionable on the net to hate the guy.

 

[Hulk Hogan's Brother]

The only thing I hate about Orton's gimmick are the comparisons with Stone Cold Steve Austin. Yes, they both have nicknames after snakes and are cheered by the crowd despite having heelish characteristics, but that's where the comparisons end. There is nothing else that is similaar between the two.

And it is because of these comparisons with SCSA that so many people look down upon Orton's gimmick. There's nothing wrong with it at all. His look is that of a total badass which is a hard thing to do considering he was a good looking clean cut guy prior to this gimmick. His gimmick has been built up very well even before he turned face. It is perfectly explainable why he is acting in this manner and what have caused him to be the "Viper". His expressions and promos are perfect for the gimmick. He talks all the time about hurting people because that is what he is good at. His in ring work is just an extension of his gimmick. He is a cold and calculated, emotionless fighter not a "I don't give a rats' ass" badass. As a character he is a lot more complex and convoluted than our beloved babyface Stone Cold Steve Austin and I see no problem with that.

Also I feel that this character of Orton works better as a face. As a heel he used to go all gung-ho about hurting people in promos but in the ring he used to start cowering. As a face he does not do that and hence his character as that of a Viper iss much more believable.

Overall I feel that its the comparisons with Stone Cold are the reason why Orton gets so much hate. And the fact that people on the net love to hate the guy who is loved by the crowds. If you take those two facts out of consideration then I see no reason why Orton should be hated. Its not like the people sitting in the crowd and cheering the hell out of him every time he appears are fools.

 

[orton0384]

Being a long time Orton fan I can see both points of view. However, we can all agree on one thing. The Hulk Hogan/John Cena/The Rock/Steve Austin syndrome has caught up to young Master Orton. You see it's called evolution(ironic since he was in a group with that same name PUN DEFINITLY INTENDED)and Orton has gone from a young green face from OVW to a slightly less green face on SMACKDOWN to a annoying heel on RAW updating us on his condition.

Moving to EVOLUTION as a monster heel, a LEGEND KILLER, a temper tantrum induced young man, a Daddy's boy, a lackey for hire, I could go on, but I won't. Had Randy stuck with the same thing over and over we'd have the same post criticizing his and chastising him for not changing, for not renewing interest in himself as a character.

I am happy he moved on and I feel this FACE run is far more successful than his AWFUL 2004 face run. It is how Steve Austin and Hogan changed for the masses when they found something that worked. I never stopped getting shit from my brother about how Stone ********er Austin is a ****** now" Or how "Hogan was a better heel in the indies now hes a fucking god damn toy pusher sellout." Or my personal favorite. "Only a pussy would actually enjoy The Rock now. This fucking idiot has people chanting like sheep. Turn the TV off."

Yes he is a bit ridiculous and very comedic to me as a adult with no imagination or facination like a 8-12 year old has. I'm not as impressionable and gullible as a 13-16 year old. But as an adult I can see why his silly gimmick works. How ridiculous was it for some 275lb Samoan to go running around referring to himself in the third person talking in baby talk with roody pooh and a smackdown hotel? And yet this guy was sooo bad ass! But if you saw some asshole walking down the street talking like that you'd laugh and say he was stupid.

How realistic is it for a red neck white trash to go and drink beer on a job and beat the shit out of his boss? You see thats what made money at the time. Thats what people wanted no matter how silly or far fetched it was.

What I'm saying is it works for the mass part of the audience. And like my older brother a lot of you lost your anti cena. The guy you wanted so badly to not be a cutesey babyfaced "sellout". I preferred Orton's 2009 gimmick because I despise Triple H but thats a diff post for another day. But this way works better for Vince and creative. It gives kids/females/teen males what they want(most of em anyways, the PAYING ones).

I'm very big on sticking with your superstar thick and thin. Because if I was like a good portion of you I would have given up on Orton a long time ago after his horrific face run in 2004. Our wants of a 18year old and up is not important anymore. The children have the reigns now and the parents who BUY them the PPV's the merch and the toys.

All in all I accept Orton's change yet again with open arms otherwise I'd be bored with him doing the same thing since 2009. Let's face it. Change every 2 years from this guy? It's been worth it to me. Even with the great hits, and the painful of misses. Have a great day guys and gals!

 

[triniphenom]

Randy was always over since 2004, and i like his Viper gimmick its hot and as u see hes doing different things, moving faster like the old orton, new move sets, i like his gimmick hes a bad ass and hey as long as the people keep on cheering for him its gonna stay, i really like it, no matter wat orton does these ppl will cheer for them cause he is that damn good and he earned his spot

 

[Calderownz]

Truthfully, I hate the nickname "The Viper." However, this is wrestling. Certain aspects of the character will be comical, no matter how serious the character is.

I remember laughing my ass off when The Undertaker would no sell moves that would "kill" normal wrestlers. So, it's going to happen.

Still, a think some tweaking might be in order. However, it's a good thing to notice that he's still young enough to get it exactly right.

 

[Tugboat77]

I just have to chime in on this one. The Viper gimmick sucks. To the guy that said he's right where he should be, um, no. The OP nailed it with his description and put it perfectly. That being said, I also heard it was better when he was a heel. Um, double no. The Viper gimmick was horrible, is horrible, and always will be horrible.

Let me put this in perspective. I've never liked Randy Orton from day one. But he just seemed more natural and a much better fit in the "Legend Killer" role. I know there's only so far you can push a legends based gimmick, but he could have kept the cocky type heel and maybe just tweaked a bit more edge to it. Could have kept the punting and mean streak, but he doesn't have to flip his head around like a ****** and pound on the ground like a brat throwing a temper tantrum.

That's another thing. If he's the Viper, and supposed to be "snake-like" what the hell is the pounding all about? Last I knew, snakes never beat the ground before they struck their victims. Just silly.

His acting IS horrible, as Chicago pointed out. His promo work is terrible and forced. At least in his prior role he had a better sounding promo.

To answer the question, no it's not just you OP. The gimmick sucks, has sucked, and always will suck. I don't give a flying rat's anus how many ppl cheer the guy for whatever reason (personally I think they put some kind of mind control substance in the concessions, but that's just me) the gimmick is horrible and needs to be shoveled off to the nearest dumpster.

Excellent post. I couldn't have said it better. I absolutely HATE it when he starts doing the spazzing out thing when he is setting up for the RKO. It looks like he is having a seizure, and not a funny one. He isn't the only one guilty of this though, because Edge looks like a ****** also when he starts pulling his hair out before he delivers the spear.

Orton is much better as a true heel and not one of those face/heel hybrids that started, in my opinion, with Stone Cold Steve Austin. They need to turn him back the way he was during his feud with Triple H when he took out the entire McMahon family including Stephanie and Triple H invaded his home. That was a good feud and Orton was hated then (which is a good thing in wrestling) and he didn't act like a clown.

 

[DanielJames]

im so sick of threads complaining about orton
his gives great icy stares and one of the main reasons they have him always get super angry in the ring is he would usually lose his cool in the ring anyway so might as well add it to his gimmick.
i understand if its not your favorite thing but its not terrible. its not as could as it should be, but its not terrible.
he still has explosive moves andeverything he does is just methodical but to fit his gimmick they say stalking his prey and stuff like that, honestly its not that they call him the viper i think its now they make too many viper references like he's really a viper instead of just a methodic asshole kinda badass lol

 

[drobs85]

Excellent post. I couldn't have said it better. I absolutely HATE it when he starts doing the spazzing out thing when he is setting up for the RKO. It looks like he is having a seizure, and not a funny one. He isn't the only one guilty of this though, because Edge looks like a ****** also when he starts pulling his hair out before he delivers the spear.

Orton is much better as a true heel and not one of those face/heel hybrids that started, in my opinion, with Stone Cold Steve Austin. They need to turn him back the way he was during his feud with Triple H when he took out the entire McMahon family including Stephanie and Triple H invaded his home. That was a good feud and Orton was hated then (which is a good thing in wrestling) and he didn't act like a clown.

LMFAO. Although Orton's gimmick is starting to get played out, the only thing to me that's really dumb about Orton's gimmick is that famous tirade he does before the RKO. Scrap that bull, tweak his music a little and turn him back full heel and i'd watch him a-lot more. I also agree with the Edge comment, he looks like a fake "Mankind" dumb ass setting up to do such a lame wack ass spear. Man who comes up with these ideas?

 

[nerd4life]

why would we stop cheering for someone who kicks ass!! rko on evan born was amazing. even the one on heath slater (worst wreslter ever) and that backbreaker move he does is stiff so he is a good worker and his promos arent all cheese like cena i think the gimmicks fine

 

[leJobz]

I've been a big fan of Randy since he debuted, sadly though he's become stale in recent times. He's 'Viper' gimmick was fine for a couple of months, became somewhat tolerable throughout last year and now it's sadly boring me. Recently he ditched the 'Legend Killer' pose which was one of my favorite things he did, to be honest the only thing thats keeping me interested in him is his finisher, name and what he can still be. I'm hoping for a cocky 'Apex Predator' kinda gimmick when he turns heel again.

 

[GLOBAL ICON]

The problem with the Viper gimmick is that it ain't believeable. Be it his acting, his promos, his actions or... the lazy booking. I mean, who, who in this world, would like to hang out with a "Viper"?? Fact is, he does. With Cena busy with the Nexus, Orton is the guy dancing around with H.O.Famers and ending RAWs. That is just not believable damn it! Orton should be RKO-ing people, be it H.O.Famers or his opponents or any random guy and leave. That's what he did when he was a heel. So, the Viper gimmick will work only as a heel. Not a babyface. So, that's the main problem.