Top Star Turning Face?

[Jack-Hammer]

According to F4WOnline.com, WWE plans to turn Randy Orton babyface sometime within the next 3 to 4 months. The little snippet of information doesn't provide any reason as to why, only that it looks like it'll be happening in time for WrestleMania season.

Personally, I'm not sure anything short a complete character overhaul can help Randy Orton at this point. He's been around for such a long time as a top tier talent so consistently that there's just not much at all about the guy that's fresh. IF this turns out to be accurate, it'll obviously lead to speculation as to whether or not Orton will be going up against Brock Lesnar for the title, if Lesnar is still champ at the time.

As to the reason behind it, from my perspective, it's looking as though the storyline could be that Orton sees Seth Rollins as being The Authority's new golden boy. For the past several weeks, Orton has been reduced to fighting Rollins' battles for him, putting out fires that he's started. The Authority is protecting Rollins the way they once protected Orton. Orton gets tired of it, tells Trips & Steph to shove it, leading to some sort of feud between Orton & The Authority, etc.

 

[laodaron]

Personally, I was hoping for the Orton turn at NOC. With only Cena and Ambrose at the top as babyfaces, and no Reigns or Bryan until probably the Royal Rumble, we're going to see a LOT of the same main events from now until February.

 

[Mustang Sally]

Personally, I'm not sure anything short a complete character overhaul can help Randy Orton at this point.

True, and the problem is augmented by the rumor that he prefers to play a heel, as do probably most of the folks on the roster, since it's easier to make people hate you than love you.

When Orton was alternating between face and 'tweener, we kept reading that he wanted to portray a bad guy. Having as much pull as his longevity gave him, he might have gotten his way for that reason.

Still, the notion that his star has fallen and he might not be able to dictate his career path anymore.....plus the fact that turning babyface might give him just the jolt he needs.....could possibly bring this face turn to light.

There would be plenty for him to do; finally getting to stick it in the face of Triple H and Stephanie, who've been forcing him to do things that go against his wishes, as far as doing their bidding in teaming with Kane to go against enemies of The Authority, plus the whole business with Randy objecting to "putting out fires" started by Seth Rollins, which (kayfabe) would surely annoy a proven veteran like Orton. He's been a lone wolf his whole career; how much can he like obeying a master and functioning as ordered?

Randy's career needs a breath of fresh air....and turning him good provides a host of opportunities for him to get it done.

That is, whether Randy Orton the WWE employee likes it or not. Ironic how your corporate power ebbs & flows in lockstep with your popularity and impact as a performer.

 

[TheDrix]

I loved watching the Orton who was fighting the Nexus. Hopefully he turns.

 

[RedRegan1005]

I'm okay with a Randy Orton turn, however I would take him off TV for a short time. We've seen him so much, and been kicked around as the Authorities lap dog so much that I think it would help to have him out of view for awhile so when he comes back and turns it will seem more fresh to the audience. I'd have him off TV till around the Rumble. That'll be a time when WWE will need a good opponent for Lesnar that he can face to get him to Mania. And lets be honest the pool off credible guys for Lesnar to face is thin. I personally would like to see Heyman come out, boasting about how no can beat The Beast Incarnate, and he is truly a Legend. Cue Orton's music, who comes to the ring, Heyman then can begin to run his mouth and take shots at Orton. Orton says nothing and then mid sentence BOOM drops Heyman with an RKO, and poses.

Then on the other side of things it seems like it would make sense for him to face Rollins at Mania. I would just be careful with that as I remember when Legacy broke up. If I remember correctly, I think the original plan was for DiBiase to get over as a face, and instead the crowd got behind Orton, and he beat both Dibiase, and Rhodes at WM 26. I doubt something like that would happen with Rollins, but its worth mentioning.

 

[GeminiGarlord]

Yup, Orton v Lesnar is in the air, let's get the sleep pillows ready.

 

[WBL]

Yup, Orton v Lesnar is in the air, let's get the sleep pillows ready.

... that's kind of what I was going to say, in a much shorter fashion. I'd green rep you, but I've given out too much for 24 hours.

But yeah. Orton. The same old guy who was part of the bottleneck that was the problem in the first place. Especially since he's nothing more than a charismaless Austin by this point... I mean come on. A bald aggressor with a move that he can hit out of nowhere who uses snake imagery?

 

[L@RISANO]

According to F4WOnline.com, WWE plans to turn Randy Orton babyface sometime within the next 3 to 4 months. The little snippet of information doesn't provide any reason as to why, only that it looks like it'll be happening in time for WrestleMania season.

Personally, I'm not sure anything short a complete character overhaul can help Randy Orton at this point. He's been around for such a long time as a top tier talent so consistently that there's just not much at all about the guy that's fresh. IF this turns out to be accurate, it'll obviously lead to speculation as to whether or not Orton will be going up against Brock Lesnar for the title, if Lesnar is still champ at the time.

As to the reason behind it, from my perspective, it's looking as though the storyline could be that Orton sees Seth Rollins as being The Authority's new golden boy. For the past several weeks, Orton has been reduced to fighting Rollins' battles for him, putting out fires that he's started. The Authority is protecting Rollins the way they once protected Orton. Orton gets tired of it, tells Trips & Steph to shove it, leading to some sort of feud between Orton & The Authority, etc.

I have been expecting a Randy Orton "Face" turn for quite a while, and the injury problems have probably helped that possibility along as well.

That said, you are correct in saying that Orton needs a complete overhaul, in any case.
I can see this leading to Orton demanding his yet to happen WWE title rematch, against probably Brock Lesnar, and then as the Authority finally unravels completely, I can see him going up against Seth Rollins at Wrestlemania 31 itself, putting over Rollins as a Top Heel going forward.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

What's needed more at this stage is for Orton to be off screen for a period of time as he is rapidly wearing out in terms of his value.. We know that when Orton is frustrated or unhappy with his direction, he can do stupid things off-screen. If he doesn't like being face it doesn't seem smart. With Bryan due to return, Barrett likely to be face and potentially Sting debuting... There is value in Orton being "written out" for a few months or longer.

The problem with guys like him (and Cena) is that if they are constantly there for years on end, people can get bored with them. I always felt the best thing that could ever happen to Orton was a 3rd strike and the mandatory year away.

If they're gonna have him turn in 3-4 months, then write him off TV with an injury at the hands of the Authority. Have Rollins curb stomp him onto the case or something or even use his own punt kick against him. He can then return at the Rumble in a shocker as the face... he can reunite with Dave to take on Trips and Rollins perhaps at Mania in a "Loser must Retire" tag match... Trips can take the fall and end his ring career once and for all.

But just another Orton turn is not gonna work, the fans won't go for it and it'd be a repeat of Batista last year... that will piss Orton off and his form is that he then screws up...

 

[BringThePain834]

I've started to think that Randy Orton is jaded. He's coming off as being bored because there's no reason to be excited about anything anymore. He's done more in his 34 years on earth than most anybody his age. If logic dictates that if there's nothing to be excited about then why act like it?

He should take a couple of years off and see the world on his terms. Do the things he never got to do because he was entertaining us. He's probably never been to a PTA meeting, basketball game or even gone hunting in Alaska. This may seem trivial but he has money and I'm sure he just wants to be a relatively normal adult for a while and go to Disneyland just to be a normal guy.

 

[Slash-LN]

I know it's all internet hearsay but I've always read that Orton hates being a face.
If that's true then one could only guess that Orton would just go through the motions as a face and he's already not very interesting as is.
For the most part he screams heel. He's just better off that way.

 

[OYDK]

Let's not forget Randy Orton's last face run, where by the end of it, the WWE Universe was PLEADING for Orton to return to his Apex Predator/Legend Killer ways. Like everything in the WWE, Orton's first face run started off hot and than fizzled out brutally. I thought Orton was stale before he turned face but once he actually turned I realized I would prefer a stale heel Orton to a stale face Orton any day.

With that being said, there are a lot more options for a face Orton nowadays than there were a few years ago. Rollins, HHH, Wyatt, and Lesnar are just a few of the people I wouldn't mind seeing Orton in a program with and all have the possibility of being great. Maybe a face-turn could jump start Randy Orton's career again or even get him the WWEWHC one last time (hopefully just one last time).

But, my opinion, Orton is made to be a heel.

 

[Mitch Henessey]

It's easy to build a storyline around Orton turning on The Authority. Going back to his heel turn at Summerslam and his run with the WWE Championship in 2013, Stephanie and Triple H would verbally castrate Orton every other week. They never put 100% of their faith in him, because Orton had to prove himself time and time again. He had to prove he was the "face of the WWE" constantly, recently Triple H snubbed Orton in favor of Lesnar to face Cena at Summerslam, and now he's regulated to the role of a bodyguard for Seth Rollins.

Triple H pretty much forced Orton to take a backseat to Lesnar and Rollins. The material and the history to build a storyline with some real depth is there, but I'm not sure how long the spark will last, if WWE turns Orton face.

If he's still the WWE WHC, Lesnar VS Orton has a lot of potential, because it's a refreshing feud for Orton. True, Orton is in a stale phase now, but he can still go in the ring, and he can perform at a high level. After setting the bar so high for Lesnar's opponents, Randy Orton is on a short list for the elite in WWE, and he has the credentials to fit the profile for a formidable challenger.

Whatever the case is, I hope this doesn't lead to Triple H VS Orton part 10, 345. I can only remember one truly good match (the Last Man Standing match at No Mercy 2007) from the past, and Orton VS Triple H is in the same boat with Triple H VS Cena and Cena VS Orton: it's another feud from the past that's been done to death, we really don't need to see it again, and you're taking the chance of the live crowds shitting all over the match (or matches) with heckling and smarky chants.

 

[Navi]

I'm really surprised that it's taken this long to turn him quite honestly. And I guess I'm one of the few who actually likes and Randy Orton when he's a face. Also get the impression that the crowd does want to cheer him.

As has been said he's been stale for a long time now, and it doesn't look good on him. Cena's been stale as well, and unfortunately it's not been their fault. With wrestler's leaving and injuries the two of them of have been stuck carrying this product on their backs. Cena is much better at it than Orton though and smiles through the "Cena sucks" chants.

Being part of Evolution as well, you would have thought that he would have turned already, they aren't known for sticking together that bunch and having each other's back. With some of the comments that he's been throwing around on TV lately about Rollins, I've been expecting a face turn almost everytime he shows up in the ring to put out another Rollins fire.

Just like the Shield turned face against Kane that night, I was hoping that Orton would have just started whaling away on Rollins last night. Not saying Orton will join Cena and Ambrose, but he won't do the bidding of the Authority any longer and sort of be a lone gun.

Either that like someone else said take him off TV for awhile, but until Bryan and Reigns come back he's one of their top level guys, and I can't see them letting him go right now.

 

[Mudlup50]

As has been said he's been stale for a long time now, and it doesn't look good on him. Cena's been stale as well, and unfortunately it's not been their fault. With wrestler's leaving and injuries the two of them of have been stuck carrying this product on their backs. Cena is much better at it than Orton though and smiles through the "Cena sucks" chants.

With some of the comments that he's been throwing around on TV lately about Rollins, I've been expecting a face turn almost everytime he shows up in the ring to put out another Rollins fire.

Just like the Shield turned face against Kane that night, I was hoping that Orton would have just started whaling away on Rollins last night. Not saying Orton will join Cena and Ambrose, but he won't do the bidding of the Authority any longer and sort of be a lone gun.

The first paragraph is completely on point, people hate on these 2 and I see why but it's not their fault. They've been the most reliable since their debut. Fans react to them still. Those two things alone eliminate just about every other guy in the company.

And I think the idea is to promote the idea of a face turn, maybe they're testing the fans reaction to it or just building it up to take it away. Imagine if we think for like another month a face turn is coming and instead of getting it Orton says he'll always be Triple H's lapdog or something stupid like that.

I was sure last night was gonna be the night for it to happen and I think it would have been a really good night to do it. Orton punts Rollins in the skull and Kane just looks on shocked. Orton rolls out of the ring and we don't see him for a week or two, he finally shows up and says he's done working for Rollins. Then no more Cena/Orton matches, maybe they team up to take on the Authority.

I think the ideal situation is for Orton to turn face and unite with Cena. Ambrose is on his own fighting both factions. The fans will boo Cena regardless and Orton will probably get a huge pop for a few weeks but it'll die down and we'll get some boos. Book Ambrose as the face here and he'd get insanely over. Of course it would only be like that for a few weeks/months until Reigns comes back. Then I think a vague alliance between Reigns and Ambrose would be perfect. Not like the Shield at all, they just do their thing and they have each others backs. Then we'd have 3 "alliances" Authority:Kane/Rollins, Old Guard:Cena/Orton, New Breed: Reigns/Ambrose.

 

[Ric 'The Nature Boy' Flair]

No! Not good. He just needs to kick some people in the head! He needs to take them out! If the make him credible, instead of having him hide behind the authority, then he will be good again.

 

[MCMG]

Orton is phenomenal as a heel. It's his speciality. This most recent stint has been underrated and he had the entire crowd hating him this time last year. It's what he does and he reflects the heel persona when he wrestles.

The WWE doesn't need him as a good guy. Moreover, there are better options to turn (Cesaro/ Bray). The WWE should keep Orton heel where he can feud with a good range of superstars. As it stands the WWE have Cena, Reigns, Ambrose, Bryan, Ziggler, Sheamus, Swagger as well as guys in NXT. There is NO need for Orton to turn from a wider perspective. For Orton himself, sure he could pull it off but what's the point. He doesn't need it for his legacy and he is better pissing people off.

 

[kadroan]

It's about time. He overachieved as a heel - Bryan multiple times, Big Show, Cena multiple times, Cesaro, Christian, Sheamus and Jericho. There really isn't anything left for him to do unless they really want him to put over Ambrose but last thing you want with an asset like Orton is to have turn Jericho status putting over too much talent.

I look forward to him turning face. I hope to see him face Lesnar at a pay per view.

 

[Terry Gyimah]

If Orton turns face, perfect way to build it up:

Orton grows sick and tired of The Authority always having to play second fiddle to Rollins always having to protect The Authority's new golden boy and Orton in the process grows frustrated with the COO Triple H in the sense that Orton has never gotten his one on one rematch for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship a title Orton lost at Mania and has never ever gotten his rematch because of having to reform Evolution to face The Shield and then being cast aside in favor of Rollins

And then Orton one RAW he can just decide to just snap because it could be him and Corporate Kane teaming up to face whoever, and during the match when Kane is trying to tag himself into the match by tagging Orton, Kane gets into the ring and out of nowhere Orton RKOs Corporate Kane right in the middle of the ring and he walks out on Kane allowing Kane to be pinned 1..2..3 and backstage The Authority want to know what's gotten into Orton, Orton gives no response and walks out on Triple H, Stephanie and Rollins without as much as an answer

Then the next week on RAW Kane of course wants Orton in the ring and then build it up more from there which leads to Orton's eventual face turn and Orton feuding with The Authority

 

[chuckmdubya]

I think it would be a great idea. The only thing that makes him a heel is his ties to the authority. Him and Kane both have been expressing a dislike of Rollins to cover for him. Its a good time for him to switch, his gimmick can be used either way as a heel or face. I think all they'd have to do is basically have him get tried of Rollins and RKO him one night on raw, and abra cadabra brand new face.
I'd half way expect to see him and Kane both turn. They say Kane took off his match to promote See No Evil 2. WWE usually has faces in their movies. Might be a good time for him to switch. But maybe not because the WWE stars usually play heroes.
I'd like to see a return to the Big Red Machine era, when Kane was a near unstoppable monster.

 

[Nick Vibe]

Last year Summerslam time everybody said Orton NEEDED to turn heel because he needed a change and was better as a heel (which he is). One year later everybody wants him to be face again? I agree that creative has nothing for Orton really (stepping stone for everybody) since Wrestlemania but turning him face is not gonna do the job. He can be a very good face, don't get me wrong, but after one year, maybe even less this time he will become stale again as a face and then what? The guy has to get out of the Authority (not sure how he cannot feud with them though) and be a heel of his own. Also that means creative has to be fresh in creating stories for him.

 

[Alex]

People seem to be missing a really good way of Lesnar facing Orton.

Forget Orton's problems with the Authority and his lack of title shots.

Brock Lesnar was the youngest WWE champion at 25. Randy Orton was the youngest World Heavyweight Champion at 24.

Simply have Orton point out that's he's better than Lesnar because he got to the top of the mountain quicker. You've got your storyline right there. Who's the best out of the youngest world champions in the company's history.

Also facing Lesnar makes you face by default because nobody is a bigger dick than Lesnar. This allows creative to play about with ways of changing Orton's personality to a more face like character while he is technically a face.

 

[JoVilla21]

I honestly don't see the appeal in "Brock vs Orton." Unless it's Heel vs Heel, then I'm not really fascinated by it.

&& Orton turning face? He was face for the most part of last year and he's turning again? They need him to be a top-midcard heel. He was a top-midcard face for a bit and some interesting storylines and great matches came out of it (Wade, Rhodes etc).

Top-midcard heel could get matches and feuds from Sheamus, Ziggler, Ambrose (you could argue he's already a main eventer).

 

[EnoughIsEnough]

I don't think it would make sense for Orton to turn face again, everyone in WWE is already turning face. If you do that all you got is Rollins, Lesner and Rusex?(don't even count Kane) Cena, Ambrose, Reigns, Bryan, Sheamus, Ziggler, Swagger, Big Show etc.....its just loaded with faces now. And they are already talking about Bray turning face. Turning Orton would be overloaded unless they decided to turn a face heel, I personally think they should bring Ryback back as a heel in singles and let him work his way back up, Lesner won't be around much longer. Cesaro is just in the middle, considered a heel, but he's more his own guy.

 

[Ope1995]

Turning Orton face works. They've been teasing it for so long now it is almost at the point where they have to turn him against the Authority. Probably Kane too if they keep Rollins aligned with HHH and Steph. But the issue then becomes that they would need new muscle in the Authority, so unless Rollins snaps and turns into a violent freak of nature who tries to Curb Stomp everybody who even looks at him wrong, it's a major job to fill. Unless they just end the Authority angle, but I highly doubt it because right now there are no consistent performers that get the heat that they do, even the Wyatts get cheered now and they've supposedly just broken up too. So it'd just be who to turn to in order to replace Kane and Orton. Maybe have a returning Ryback as Hunter's bodyguard?