Randy Orton Injured: A Good Thing?

[The American Legend]

Hear me out, please.

I've been trying to figure out how WWE is going to pull off Wrestlemania this year for months. With Rock/Cena, Taker/HHH, and possible Punk/Jericho, the card is stacked. And with WM only having 8 matches as of late and no MITB for the past couple years, I could not figure out where in the world guys like Barrett, Sheamus, Rhodes, and Bryan would fit in on the SD side.

But now Orton is out. This leaves the door wide open for SD. Someone is going to have to step up. And while to be honest, I had started hoping for a Henry/Bryan match at Mania, my dream has always been Barrett/Rhodes/Bryan, but I couldn't figure out how they'd get there without Orton being in the picture.

Now the picture is a little clearer. Orton is injured. MITB (maybe) coming back. And the young guns are gonna have a chance to shine on the Grandest Stage of Them All. All because Orton fell down some stairs...

Agree, Disagree? Share your thoughts.

 

[#hamler]

You do realize that in order for one to step up, one needs somebody to step over. Now that Orton is out, it is going to be alot harder without a huge babyface to put some of these young heels over. Orton has recently put over two of the faster rising talents on Smackdown in Cody Rhodes and Wade Barrett. These superstars cannot just step up and walk right into Smackdown's main event picture. Guys like Wade Barrett, Drew McIntyre or any other heel now has one less babyface to help get them over. Orton hasn't exactly been in the main event picture in quite a while. While there are always other super-over faces like Sheamus, Big Show or Booker T, Randy Orton being out is certainly going to hurt some of these heels chances of shining on through.

 

[FunKay the Inevitable]

I'm sorry, but I don't see how constantly beating both of these superstars is putting them over. Randy can't lose, and as a result, his character has grown tired and other talents don't build credibility.

He's beaten Barrett once in one-on-one competition in the entirety of their feud and that was a tables match of all things. Barrett's dominated him thoroughly. As for Rhodes, Cody owns at least two victories over Orton and the fact that he went 20 minutes with Orton in a Street Fight, especially when Rhodes is only a midcarder, is quite astonishing. I would say Orton helped elevate them. But that's not the point in the thread is it?

Orton being injured is a bad thing. He's been extraordinary in the last year and done a great job as the face of SmackDown. He's worked a brilliant feud with Christian, was the final major face Henry needed to notch up on his belt before becoming champion and done great work with both Rhodes and Barrett. Him being injured can only be a bad thing. He's the star attraction, and that's always going to hurt if you lose that guy. True someone might step-up, but it's doubtful given the length of time he's probably going to be out.

 

[#hamler]

I'm sorry, but I don't see how constantly beating both of these superstars is putting them over. Randy can't lose, and as a result, his character has grown tired and other talents don't build credibility.

Of course they build credibility. Whether losing to or beating Orton, you're undoubtedly getting a rub. When you're put in the same ring with any top face that is over enough to get a reaction from the crowd, it means the WWE is willing to push you. You don't have to beat Orton for him to put you over. Being in the opposite corner of Randy Orton, both Wade Barrett and Cody Rhodes are getting heat simply because the crowd loves Orton so much. Eventually the heat sticks and you've got yourself an over heel. That's what we call a rub. Wins and losses do not matter; you still build credibility when you're hanging around the brand's top wrestler.

 

[XXJJ]

I dont see it as a good thing. Who exactly on Smackdown has Orton been blocking? Daniel Bryan is the current champ. Big Show has been in the title picture for months now.

The guy spent the the last part of the year elevating smackdown wrestlers. Henry, Rhodes and Barrett all came out looking great against Orton.

People forget Barrett was doing nothing for months before his Orton feud. He lost all his momentum that he had with Nexus. Henry needed to beat Orton to look like a credible champion, after his 15 years of being a joke. Rhodes wasn't even booked at Summerslam when he just became the new IC champ, and was a last minute add to NOC because of the ppv theme. The guy has helped build half of the current/future smackdown main event roster.

 

[shalliin]

I dont see it as a good thing. Who exactly on Smackdown has Orton been blocking? Daniel Bryan is the current champ. Big Show has been in the title picture for months now.

The guy spent the the last part of the year elevating smackdown wrestlers. Henry, Rhodes and Barrett all came out looking great against Orton.

People forget Barrett was doing nothing for months before his Orton feud. He lost all his momentum that he had with Nexus. Henry needed to beat Orton to look like a credible champion, after his 15 years of being a joke. Rhodes wasn't even booked at Summerslam when he just became the new IC champ, and was a last minute add to NOC because of the ppv theme. The guy has helped build half of the current/future smackdown main event roster.

Since when did a few weeks turn into months? Show got back from an injury last month and went after Henry not because of title but for revenge for being shelfed.

Barrett might have won the most matches against Orton but how many of them were clean, clear wins? I can agree that his tainted victories helped his heel character, but that doesn't mean he dominated Orton, but barely hung on and had to cheat to win. Attacking Orton in the back or from behind after a match is not the same as impact in terms of credibility.

 

[Yesiamaduck]

Initally I was excited for an Ortonless free Smackdown for a bit... and probably would still be if all the other stars were also injured! I watched Smackdown tonight and the card has no drawing power to it at all & I think no matter how you mix and matched the card (with the exception of the Rhodes/T/Rhodes angle they are riding with right now) I don't see anything drawing!

I also realised that Orton this year has put more people over successfully then anyone else on the WHOLE roster!

Look at the roster that featured on tonights card shall we. Top drawer to bottom

Randy Orton (now injured)
The Big Show
Mark Henry (Injured & loosing momentum FAST)
Booker T (not a full time worker)
Sheamus
Wade Barrett
Cody Rhodes
Daniel Bryan
Justin Gabriel
Ezikiel Jackson
Drew McIntyre
Hunico
Natalya
Alicia Fox
Jinder Mahal
Kaitlyn
Tamina

It makes for pretty weak reading & I don't think any of these guys... with the exception of Rhodes and Bryan are in a posistion to getting any more over as a result of these injuries! The is a notable gap from the top 3 (2 injured) and the 4 that follow and even more so for the guys after!

 

[remyx]

Its not exactly hard, why don't they use this time to debut some new stars, or build up a decent tag division... or at least stick a few other people who need the airtime from raw to smack down? It is a bad thing because i hate to see any guy on the roster injured... and or ton has bee exceptional this year, maybe not character wise but his matches have been phenomenal for a main event WWE talent.

 

[Ryberg]

Never really been an Orton fan as a wrestler or person. But him getting hurt is really not a good thing. VMK will panic now that the Smackdown roster is week. So My money says either Punk or Cena will end up on Smackdown. Probably now Cena due to Wrestlemania. So Orton getting hurt once again, will force major changes.

 

[Grimy Grizzly]

I'm not a big Orton fan atleast not the way his character is now but I do hope he heals up etc., as far as a positive from this they shoulda let Wade Barret look like he put him on the shelf over him accidentally falling down some stairs I think something like Orton getting injured could help Wade Barrets heel status but the way they did it I'm not sure it did and getting Barret vs Shemus could turn out pretty good then when Orton returns he wants revenge hopefully they make him come back and go nuts on everyone

 

[jocephusorton]

WWE had the opportunity to run with Orton's Injury, instead Wade Barrett posted a sympathetic tweet to twitter breaking kayfabe. My guess is Rhodes drops the IC to Booker to pursue Daniel Bryan. Or IF creative had any sense, they could let Broadus Clay debut as a face on SD!

 

[XXJJ]

Since when did a few weeks turn into months? Show got back from an injury last month and went after Henry not because of title but for revenge for being shelfed.

Barrett might have won the most matches against Orton but how many of them were clean, clear wins? I can agree that his tainted victories helped his heel character, but that doesn't mean he dominated Orton, but barely hung on and had to cheat to win. Attacking Orton in the back or from behind after a match is not the same as impact in terms of credibility.

WTF are u talking about. Big Show wrestled Henry in October at Vengeance for the title. He has been in the world title picture ever since returning. That is a couple of months.

Why should Barrett dominate a 9 time champ? That makes no sense for the WWE. They are not going to bury one of their top stars for someone unproven. They are hoping Barrett can reach the next level. So they book him in a very even feud with Orton.

 

[kidmetal24]

I think Orton being injured suck but it is a good thing for other SD! talent. WWE constantly tries to put over Big Zeke and it never works. Now that there is a smaller WHC, more guys lik Zeke can get over. Really this is WWE's big chance to show they can still develope a product thats watchable. Time for Justin Gabriel to shine. Also Seth Rollins needs to make his SD! debut. Turn McIntyre face and focus on his journey to secure a roster spot. Tons of different things WWE can do right now that they just won't do. One thing for sure is that Sheamus needs to step up and be the face of that brand for now. As long as Orton and Christian are out there needs to be replacements for the while they are away. Hell even turn Barrett face and have him say he didnt mean to hurt Orton and have him feud with Show or Rhodes. Show will be heel before you know it and bring Orton back as a heel. Thats where he works his best. WWE if you can read this, Face Orton Sucks! The true shame in all of this is that SD! is the most watchable product that WWE has and I have a good feeling they will just turn SD! int a SuperShow.

 

[#hamler]

One thing for sure is that Sheamus needs to step up and be the face of that brand for now.

I keep reading statements like this and it's aggravating me. While I do believe Sheamus should be pushed toward the World Title, he certainly doesn't have to step up. Someone that needs to step up would be Justin Gabriel or Ted Dibiase not someone as credible and over as Sheamus. Sheamus is already there. He doesn't have to do anything different then what he's doing now. With Orton gone, Sheamus is now the most over face. The WWE needs to give him something to do and hopefully push him to the top during Orton's absence. But in what way does any of this rely on Sheamus stepping up when he's already one of the brand's most valuable superstars?

 

[Khalifa]

Having one of the top faces in the company out for a long period of time is never a good thing. So many stories could be worked around Orton and now with him out it's just gonna set up another mid event wrestler to go to the main event and crowd it. Personally I think Smackdown can still do lots of things without Orton and without having to bring someone up, while I would like to have Rhodes step into the main event and take care of things for a while and have a fresh face, I don't think that there is enough space for anyone else to step up.

 

[Suibon]

Man oh man. Randy Orton injured is far from the wet dream of many Orton haters here, but they'll console themselves since at least Randy 'Bore-ton' is out of their TV, without realizing that the Smackdown roster NEEDS a top face like Orton.

So you now get your wish, you mindless haters - your Randy 'Bore-ton' is no longer a face. Expect your Smackdown to tank fast while the WWE doesn't work around a stopgap measure.
​

 

[Suibon]

Its not exactly hard, why don't they use this time to debut some new stars, or build up a decent tag division... or at least stick a few other people who need the airtime from raw to smack down? It is a bad thing because i hate to see any guy on the roster injured... and or ton has bee exceptional this year, maybe not character wise but his matches have been phenomenal for a main event WWE talent.

They can do all that, but it won't make up for Orton's absence at such short notice. Building credible faces take time, and credible tag teams even more so - they won't become Orton-level over in a week or a month.
​

 

[zephyrs]

Under the assumption that Orton fully recovers from his injury, I'd say it's a good thing to keep him off tv for a while. If Orton decides to go back to his more charismatic and entertaining "legend killer" persona, I think it'll be great.