Randy Orton shockingly defeated WWE Champion Drew McIntyre inside Hell in a Cell. In doing so, Orton became world champion for the fourteenth time in his tenured career.
Sadly, his celebrations had to be put on halt as last week on Raw. He still had a frustrated McIntyre on his tail, and not only that, as “The Fiend” has made it clear he wants vengeance on “The Viper” for burning down his house back in 2017.
Orton was trapped between a Fiend and a hard place at the end of the show which should convey what WWE’s plans are moving forward for the “Apex Predator”.
Survivor Series is always an annoying pay per view because it puts all these plans on hold so everyone can be brand loyal. Therefore, Orton can hide from his bounty-hunters and battle Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns in a Champion vs. Champion clash.
Post-that, TLC would most likely see a triple threat between these aggressive forces. However, if Orton manages to escape with his title heading into the new year – what is next for the so-called “Legend Killer”?
Here are “Six Potential Challengers For Randy Orton’s WWE Championship”:
6. Keith Lee
The most logical opponent for Randy Orton would be the Limitless, Keith Lee.
Lee has had a strange main-roster career thus far. He debuted on Raw with the most generic music ever, has to cover his belly but hope is not lost!
Now in a feud with Braun Strowman, these big storylines are there to cover up the fact that WWE has no idea how to book a man as talented as Keith Lee. His matches repeatedly end in no contests, count-outs and disqualifications apart from a couple squash matches and beating Randy Orton at WWE Payback.
Yes, Keith Lee has decisively defeated current WWE Champion, Randy Orton. This means there is an already made rivalry for Orton.
Lee vs Orton was a great and unexpected match to see this year and it is clearly proven that they have good chemistry and a lot left in the tank. I’d enjoy seeing them go to war over the WWE Championship.
5. Ricochet
As much as WWE has buried Ricochet in the biggest grave on Raw this year, fans have not forgotten that he is one of the most agile and talented men, not just on the red brand, but throughout the entire company.
Ricochet is one of those special guys that can put on a good performance blinded. His skills are unnatural and will put butts in seats as soon as he does a flip. How can WWE book this guy wrong?
Being beaten by Brock Lesnar at the start of the year then Hurt Business at the end has really shown Ricochet’s place on the card and it is terrible.
However, with Orton as Champion, Ricochet may have the chance to reach heights he hasn’t reached in some time.
Orton works great with high-flyers – stars he can RKO outta of nowhere and make it look legendary. Ricochet flipping into the three most destructive letters would be Evan Bourne levels of insane! Therefore, Orton can be the man to give Ricochet a hand back into mid-card/main event scene.
4. AJ Styles
During the 2020 Draft, AJ Styles returned to Raw. The “Phenomenal One” can switch brands and be placed in the main event without a single shrug. Which means it won’t be an unusual thing to see AJ Styles vs. Randy Orton in the very near future.
It is surprising that Styles and Orton have only had one pay per view match! Despite this being at the Grandest Stage of Them All, WrestleMania 35, these two would wickedly be able to host a few months of a blood-feud.
Styles is now followed by the giant, seven-foot three, Jordan Omogbehin. This bodyguard freezes Styles’ opponents dead in their tracks. He could play a big factor in this storyline and put Orton in a handicap situation. This could be great!
3. Mustafa Ali
Even without Retribution, Mustafa Ali vs. Randy Orton would’ve been a must! However, with Retribution, Mustafa Ali needs a big rivalry before the captain sinks with his ship.
Ali being revealed as the hacker and leader of Retribution should’ve been a bigger deal as Ali as a heel has lots of potential! WWE are slowly getting tired of this group though and need to think of something fast for how to keep them afloat.
Ali wanting to capture the WWE Championship would make sense. What screams “Takeover the company” more than putting their biggest title under hostage?
Furthermore, Ali vs. Orton, just like with Ricochet, would be awesome! Ali is another man with unreal athletic abilities. His flips into RKOs would be perfection.
The story can also build from real-life stuff from last year. Kofi Kingston may have not got his WrestleMania moment if the uprising star, Ali wasn’t removed from the Elimination Chamber.
Ali suffered an eye injury from the foot of Randy Orton during a match on SmackDown Live in February 2019. They can play on this history to build to their WWE Championship clash.
2. Matt Riddle
Despite the rumours that Matt Riddle is going to get his name dropped for the simply depressing, just “Riddle”. He is one of those men that can defy the name change and still remain a star on the main roster.
Riddle vs. Orton would be a fun rivalry for a B-Show and would easily elevate Matt Riddle’s credibility as a breakout star of this year.
It would also be an intense climax watching Orton target the naked toes of Riddle and twist them to pure brutality. Overall, this would be a wicked encounter, Bro.
1. Edge
Lastly and surely the reason why Orton has picked up the WWE Championship, we will be returning to the feud between Orton and the Rated R Superstar, Edge!
At the start of 2020, before the world went downhill, Edge made his electrifying return from retirement during the Royal Rumble match. Instead of going against new stars that have made a name for themselves since Edge left nine years ago, he reignited a feud against Randy Orton.
Edge overcame Orton in a Last Man Standing match at WrestleMania 36 proving he still has it. Until Orton returned to his “Legend Killer” persona wanting to kick Edge’s head in some more.
Edge’s last match was the Greatest Wrestling Match Ever at Backlash, where he was left conquered and broken by the hands of the “Apex Predator”.
With Edge gone again and Orton holding the title, we are surely making our way down the path for Edge vs Orton III. Most likely to headline WrestleMania 37 next year. Wholesomely, this would be a sweet time to put the belt back on Edge and let him run with the new competition before it is too late.
Or we can just forget this list and have The Miz cash in Money in the Bank…
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