Report: Backstage Heat on Major Superstar/Legend on the roster!

[That N Word]

Exclusive: Major Backstage Heat on Randy Orton, WWE Upset with His Live Event Matches Against Roman Reigns, More

WRESTLEZONE.COM

As we reported earlier today, several negative fan reviews surfaced online of the Roman Reigns vs Randy Orton WWE live event matches which took place over the weekend.

WZ has learned from WWE sources there is enormous heat internally on Randy Orton for what many members of the locker room perceive to be a “crowd killing” style against Roman Reigns during the WWE house shows this weekend.

Several of the wrestlers in WWE, seeing payoffs down and just getting paid for WrestleMania, are worried Orton may be slowing down Roman’s progress to the top, where a new babyface star is needed since John Cena can’t be expected to carry the entire load, and Daniel Bryan’s future is uncertain with his nerve damage and possible need for a second surgery. “If Roman’s the guy, then Roman’s the guy,” one WWE Superstar said.

“Whoever is the guy, we need to get this guy over bigger than ever, not hold him down in rest holds and hope no one gets hurt. We’re in the wrestling business, Bumps and bruises happen.”

For real that has always been Orton's style and it works for him. If anyone you should blame it should be both. Maybe they just don't have chemistry. I as a fan of Roman Reigns. I know he only has about 10 moves as a main roster talent (Samoan drop,backdrop,clothesline,uppercut,dropkick to head,superman punch,spear,jumping clothesline,hard irish whip,10 count punches.) To succeed you need at least 50 moves. Hell even John Cena has 50 moves and if you need proof just ask. In NXT Leakee was a great wrestler even though he never made me jump up and grab my head thinking "What the fuck just happened." But he was still a great wrestler nonetheless. But since he has gotten on the main roster he has been lazy in the ring and on the mic. He isn't bad on the mic though he is decent. But not the best on the mic. Reigns need to really improve to become the face of WWE. I can see it now the fans will turn on him. It will be 2006 all over a gain. The IWC loved Cena and wanted him to become "the guy." Now he is the most hated guy in the business. But at the same time that is good the way fans react with the love/hate attitude because your bringing emotion so that is a plus. But he need to really get it together. As for Orton the guy is a 13+ year vet in WWE. Him slowing down in the ring is better for his long-term health and is smart. So WWE shouldn't be pissed at him and blame him. He loves this business and he also has to do what is best for him not just what is best for business. But he always do what is best for business. What is your take on this?

 

[THTRobtaylor]

The issue isn't that Randy is sabotaging Reigns, the issue is that Vince can't "get Roman over fast enough" and it's gonna do for him... If anything Randy is HELPING Reigns by slowing it down because they rushed him originally... that first push he got could have killed his career, he wasn't ready for it and was lucky to get a second shot...and a 3rd, 4th, 5th...

That being said, Randy also has a LOT to lose right now, so there could be an element of him sandbagging on purpose. We know from his past record that he can sulk when things are not going his way and act out... either by going AWOL, trashing a hotel room, shitting in a bag or getting wasted... he can also be a douche in the ring as evidenced with his "stupid" moment with Kofi... It is possible Reigns potatoed him or something and pissed him off... it could be he was making a point that he wasn't ready...

The issue with Randy is it could be either and he's burned so many chances and currency over the years, and there is so much new talent waiting in the wings that if it is felt he is "lapsing" then it could end very badly for him. Make no mistake, Mania 31 can survive without Randy Orton, particularly with a Kurt Angle or Dudley Boyz potentially available now TNA is losing TV.

Orton has been on TV pretty much solid bar suspensions and the odd injury for 13 years. He is a prime candidate for the "break from the fans eyes"... Perhaps he IS taken for granted a bit, I have long said the best thing to happen to him in some ways is the 3rd strike... the enforced year off, spending time with his daughter may centre him and more importantly make the fans miss him.

Orton isn't in the position he can "call his shots"... not yet... he is still disposable if need be, in a Post Punk WWE...Vince is not gonna take any shit from him, and Trips will not go to bat in the same way he would for Shawn, Nash et al... when he has created the "golden goose" so to speak in the Performance Centre...

Randy is used to heat... I am sure he can survive it... but what he isn't used to is so many guys ready to take him down the card... it's not just Reigns... it's Rollins, Ambrose, Barratt, Cesaro, Bray and Ziggler... any of those guys can take his spot tonight if Vince decided to send him home...how he handles that pressure is up to him... but I have long pointed out, he has a LONG time on his deal not to screw up again, at least 4 years.. if he does then he loses a hell of a lot...

 

[bioshock]

Wait did you just say John Cena has 50 moves? I would love to see that list. Cena being body slammed doesn't count. Cena taking a punch doesn't count either. And doing the move once every 12 months at Wrestlemania doesn't count either. Throwing steps doesn't count as a move either.

Cena might have 8-15 moves total that he uses on a regular basis. Dumb thread anyway.

OT Who knows though. Maybe Orton doesn't like Reigns and doesn't want to just be some jobber to the next big star, its not like Orton is some old guy on the way out. And then again maybe its a money issue. Which I doubt since Orton I think has been paid well, but again who knows. But its WWE they usually want to make some wrestler besides Cena the skate goat.

 

[MartialHorror]

Did anyone actually see the match? So far, it's been vague about what he did. Bad matches do happen and I can't imagine it being anymore boring than 'Rusev vs Reigns'.

lol, if it was intentional...Orton might be displeased with his role in the WWE. They haven't been presenting him as a credible threat lately, requiring Kane to do anything while having him be overshadowed by Triple H as the primary antagonist. Even the Craven Randy of 2013 scored meaningful wins on his own and tended to be seen as the main bad guy, since Triple H didn't do as much. I could see why he'd be annoyed that he's playing a supporting jobber role.

But I'm also not a very big Randy Orton fan, so I'm not defending him.

 

[d_henderson1810]

Wait did you just say John Cena has 50 moves? I would love to see that list. Cena being body slammed doesn't count. Cena taking a punch doesn't count either. And doing the move once every 12 months at Wrestlemania doesn't count either. Throwing steps doesn't count as a move either.

Cena might have 8-15 moves total that he uses on a regular basis. Dumb thread anyway.

OT Who knows though. Maybe Orton doesn't like Reigns and doesn't want to just be some jobber to the next big star, its not like Orton is some old guy on the way out. And then again maybe its a money issue. Which I doubt since Orton I think has been paid well, but again who knows. But its WWE they usually want to make some wrestler besides Cena the skate goat.

I would love to see Cena read out a list of his 50 moves, just like that hilarious segment in WCW where Chris Jericho claimed to have "1,004 holds" when he feuded with Dean Malenko, and one night read out a list of each and every mood, much to an annoyed JR's chagrin, and to the booing of fans, only for Malenko to come down and knock the list out of Jericho's hand, and Jericho yelling out "My holds! My precious holds".

Saw this segment on the Chris Jericho DVD, and it is one of the funniest segments IMO in wrestling history.

 

[That N Word]

In response to those wanting to see the 50 moves of Cena. Also it is not a thread so to those saying dumb thread is idiotic as a response. It is a report
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP-fWNqwhXA
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP-fWNqwhXA[/YOUTUBE]

 

[No Count Pup]

If there are concerns with Reigns vs. Orton at SummerSlam, why not just cancel the match? We already saw Reigns beat Orton and Kane last week. If Reigns can beat Orton with a partner, he should beat Orton one-on-one quite handily. Why not have Cesaro, a potential Authority guy, take on Reigns? That would leave open the possibility for a far more logical Orton vs. Kane match.

Anyway, to the meat of the thread. Reigns needs the right opponent to have a great match. In that sense, he is similar to Diesel. For those who saw Del Rio vs. Reigns last week, the match was very high quality. Reigns and Del Rio both came out looking better. That's the kind of guy Reigns should face for quality matches. Those that can't work effectively with Reigns should be squashed by Reigns. That would motivate a few top tiers to up their games

If there is heat on Orton, it's nothing new. These stories come out a couple times per year. That's why he'll never be THE top guy. And if there isn't really heat on him, it doesn't matter. His history still precludes him from ever being a top guy. Right now, his job is to put over Reigns. If he doesn't do that well enough, he shouldn't face Reigns on PPV. Orton can wrestle lower on the card if he's sandbagging, or take the night off. Lesnar vs. Cena is the real draw of the show anyway.

 

[Slash-LN]

Randy Orton has been boring since 2002. People are just now noticing this?
Plus his current style is of an old school heel. Rest holds and the Garvin stomp. Although I can't remember the last time I saw him do that.

He's not supposed to go out there and do a bunch of flashy moves.

This story is either exaggerated or totally bogus.
Take your pick.

 

[J.J.]

I'm not sure what to make of this until I see how it's carried out. I definitely don't take these WZ "sources" seriously. No pun intended.

But there is a definite need for someone to step up in absence of DB and departure of CM Punk but I'm just not feeling Roman Reigns. He definitely has the look but so did Chris Masters, so did Mason Ryan.

I have always felt Rollins and Ambrose were more better out the 3 former members of The Shield, although they don't have the look Reigns has.

As for Orton I have not had interest in him since his Stephanie McMahon/Triple H feud a few years ago and these few moments he hits the RKO out of nowhere.

I still have a strong belief that Reigns just isn't ready to be that guy or even that guy on the main event level yet.

I definitely feel he has more moves in his arsenal and believe they are limiting his move set intentionally.

I disagree with the OP, I don't think Cena is that hated as exaggerated but the dislike he draws from many fans is due to WWE's inability to create a mega star.

Is it safe to assume Stone Cold would have drew the same dislike had The Rock not blossomed into a mega star?

 

[FlairFan2003]

Orton has a slow, methodical style, its part of being a heel, building to the hero's flurry, fast paced, offense. Maybe these particular matches didnt have good pacing. Also, maybe Orton was supposed to carry the far less experienced Reigns and he couldnt. Some guys cant adjust mid match if the basic script doesnt work, such as if the crowd isnt in to it or someone gets hurt. Maybe Reigns couldnt adjust from the basic script (or Orton). Plus, maybe one (or both) just wasnt really into it because these were non televised house shows. I wouldnt worry too much about it right now.

 

[Mitch Henessey]

Wouldn't surprise me if this report was 100% bullshit, and they're overreacting to and overexaggerating the fallout from a bad or poor quality match to stir up some controversy.

Orton is a dick, but I have hard a time believing in Orton being frustrated about his position in WWE. He has no reason to be disgruntled or frustrated, because Orton dominated the WWE Championship picture and the main event scene after the Money In The Bank pay per view in 2013. To end 2013, he was the first ever WWE WHC, and Orton main evented Wrestlemania as the WWE WHC Champion. I know it's Orton, and if we're going by stories from the past, we all know he can be a jerk, but I have to believe they're overreacting to a bad match.

 

[LBGetBack]

I would love to see Cena read out a list of his 50 moves, just like that hilarious segment in WCW where Chris Jericho claimed to have "1,004 holds" when he feuded with Dean Malenko, and one night read out a list of each and every mood, much to an annoyed JR's chagrin, and to the booing of fans, only for Malenko to come down and knock the list out of Jericho's hand, and Jericho yelling out "My holds! My precious holds".

Saw this segment on the Chris Jericho DVD, and it is one of the funniest segments IMO in wrestling history.

Great segment. It definitely wasn't JR on commentary though, he wasn't in WCW in 1997. It had to be Tony Schiavone.

 

[Pedigree1]

IF anything its true,randy is helping out Roman a lot.. Randy is a awesome worker,someone who if you built a wreslter from ground zero,it would be him.. Remember back when,Randy won the WHC from Benoit at age 24 at summerslam 2004.. He wasnt ready for that,not even close.. After dropping the belt one month later,it took him what another six years to get another reign..

I would venture to say some of this rumors are true and some are not.. Its randy Orton so considering what he has done over the years when things dont go his way,i would not be surprised if some of this is indeed true.. Roman,is not ready for the spotlight just yet. Maybe another 2 years he might be..

Randy has a lot to lose right now.. He can be replaced hate to say it,but he can be.. Guys like Ziggler,Cesaro,Ambrose,Rollins can replace the Viper,if Vince wanted it to happen. Randys style has always been slow and methodical..

Randy can handle heat,he is used to it.. But Randy also knows he is walking a fine line,one more screwup and i think that will be it..

 

[JoeyJoeJoe]

My first reaction upon reading the article was heaven forbid they wrestle a slower match that doesn't put either guy at risk of getting injured. Seriously, a cautious approach makes sense sometimes particularly at a Live event. "Bumps and bruises happen" but their roster is also probably one injury to another major star away from having a very depleted top of the card. Finally, the article is so devoid of specifics that it just doesn't pass the smell test.

 

[Mudlup50]

My first reaction upon reading the article was heaven forbid they wrestle a slower match that doesn't put either guy at risk of getting injured. Seriously, a cautious approach makes sense sometimes particularly at a Live event. "Bumps and bruises happen" but their roster is also probably one injury to another major star away from having a very depleted top of the card.

How many top stars are injured right now? It's a serious question xD all I can think of is Bryan and Barret(if you count him). I must be missing someone?

 

[MartialHorror]

I think Rob Van Dam and maybe Mark Henry (although I dunno about him, where has he been all this time?). Of course, the biggest WWE superstar is out on injury...the irreplaceable Darren Young!

 

[NegativeFeedback]

How many top stars are injured right now?

• Daniel Bryan
• Rey Mysterio
• The Undertaker (1 match a year contract though)
• Rob Van Dam (he was contracted until Battleground anyway)
• Bad News Barrett
• Christian (I remember reading he was cleared to return though)
• Darren Young
• Fernando
• Corey Graves (NXT)
• Scott Dawson (NXT)
• Cal Bishop (NXT)
• Tamina Snuka
• Kendall Skye (NXT)
• Veronica Lane (NXT)

Mark Henry and Big Show are also on some sort of hiatuses. Also, David Otunga has gone AWOL. Who knows what he's up to. Brad Maddox is also MIA.

 

[Navi]

I read recently somewhere that Mysterio has no intentions of coming back to the WWE. He apparently suffered a hand injury during his last fight and his contract should have expired by the time he was cleared to come back. Vince however, has extended the contract for the length of time he was injured, but Mysterio wants out and won't return.

Also Brad Maddox was fired, and is he still even with the WWE. I thought they got rid of him and Vicki because they simply weren't needed anymore, and Vicki wanted to return to school anyway.

To get back to the point of the thread. I attended the Live show here in Toronto earlier this month, and one of the main events was Orton/Reigns. Yes it did include a lot of what my son calls "Randy headlocks" but overall it was a pretty good match, and both were very involved with the audience. Reigns matches typically aren't the greatest cause he spends a lot of time lying around outside the ring and not much happens. But Orton more than made up for it joking with the crowd, and giving telling everyone he was number 1.

It's been reported though in the past that he is a bit of a dick to others, and wouldn't surprise me at all if he and Reigns for some reason don't really get along. It should be HHH vs Reigns as Summerslam, we've seen way too much of Orton/Reigns to last a lifetime already.

 

[Un-Bo-Lievable Jeff]

I would love to see Cena read out a list of his 50 moves, just like that hilarious segment in WCW where Chris Jericho claimed to have "1,004 holds" when he feuded with Dean Malenko, and one night read out a list of each and every mood, much to an annoyed JR's chagrin, and to the booing of fans, only for Malenko to come down and knock the list out of Jericho's hand, and Jericho yelling out "My holds! My precious holds".

Saw this segment on the Chris Jericho DVD, and it is one of the funniest segments IMO in wrestling history.

It's a great segment. Every 4th or 5th hold is just 'ArmBar' and he just amkes up random holds in the list

 

[Mustang Sally]

That being said, Randy also has a LOT to lose right now, so there could be an element of him sandbagging on purpose. We know from his past record that he can sulk when things are not going his way and act out... either by going AWOL, trashing a hotel room, shitting in a bag or getting wasted... he can also be a douche in the ring as evidenced with his "stupid" moment with Kofi...

In addition to those misdeeds, his career is far enough along that he's no longer the fair-haired boy of the organization, which might be spelling trouble for himself and his employer. His technical expertise is still there but he's no longer the "Legend Killer" and is forced increasingly to be on the receiving end more than the giving these days.....as evidenced by he (and Kane) having to function more as corporate stooges than they had to in the past.

Could all this have pissed Randy off to the point he would sandbag a guy like Roman Reigns? Possibly, yes......and Randy's standing in the company is still high enough that he can get away with it......but not forever. Perhaps management has to mollify him, as it seems they might have been doing last night when Randy laid out Reigns. Yes, that segment set up Roman for future triumphs, but it also made Randy look stronger in the short term, which might soothe his wounded feelings enough to go with the program and stop acting like the spoiled child he's been in the past.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

The Jericho "Man of 1004 Holds" promo is one of my favourite segments in wrestling history, it showed just what a talent Jericho is on the mic. Ive found a list of some of the holds he DID list. According to his book, he'd stop his list at the commerical break and just insult the fans until the camera came back on, so he'd be receiving boos and then restart reading from further down the list, genius!

1. arm drag
2. arm bar
3. moss-covered three-handled family gredunzle
4. arm-bar
5. saskatchewan spinning nerve hold
8. armbar
9. shooting star staple super press
712. ARMbar
713. hmmusppemmhma
714. the canadian mhmhmmmhmhmm
723. super blizzard

As for this story regarding Reigns and Orton, I wouldn't buy too much into it. It's well known wrestlers take it slightly easy on house shows in order to avoid serious injuries which would derail the TV programme, plus Randy Orton works a slow, methodical style anyway. I highly doubt Orton would do anything to spoil Roman's push as he is still on a 3rd strike himself. If there really was anyone displeased backstage about this match, then a quiet word in the ear of Orton will have been all that happened, and I bet the next house show match the 2 wrestle will be a bit faster. Nothing to see here.

 

[Mudlup50]

• Daniel Bryan
• Rey Mysterio
• The Undertaker (1 match a year contract though)
• Rob Van Dam (he was contracted until Battleground anyway)
• Bad News Barrett
• Christian (I remember reading he was cleared to return though)
• Darren Young
• Fernando
• Corey Graves (NXT)
• Scott Dawson (NXT)
• Cal Bishop (NXT)
• Tamina Snuka
• Kendall Skye (NXT)
• Veronica Lane (NXT)

Mark Henry and Big Show are also on some sort of hiatuses. Also, David Otunga has gone AWOL. Who knows what he's up to. Brad Maddox is also MIA.

Love the list first off, but I don't watch NXT and really them being gone effects Raw in zero ways. Tamina is sorta disappointing I guess but she isn't too missed. I honestly don't know who Fernando is? Is he the other guy in Los Matadores? His return would be nice just to add another tag team.

Darren Young is fine being off the program because I feel like he'd end up on NXT or Superstars. Christian is in my opinion just gonna put guys over. Barrett being out is obviously upsetting as he was getting over. RVD being out is like Christian, so no big deal. Taker wouldn't be wrestling right now anyway. And Rey might be upsetting if he didn't spend the last few years injured.

TLR Not really main eventers injured, jobbers, NXT, Barrett and guys who should retire xD