Despite all the build-up and pressure put on both Randy Orton and Edge, for what was billed as ‘the greatest wrestling match ever’, both men duly delivered something that can certainly be described as great.
It was a 44 minute classic, in which both men certainly took all the pressure on their shoulders and carried it a long way. We saw all the vintage moves from Edge and Randy Orton, as well as some nods to the greatest wrestlers from the past, such as Eddie Guerrero, Ric Flair, Triple H, The Rock and Kurt Angle.
Combined with beautiful storytelling both men portrayed, to the whispers and words both men exchanged throughout the match, great truly was a word you could use to describe what both men produced.
The end result saw Orton rolling back the years and punting Edge straight to the face to prevail.
So what happens next?
Is there anything else for you to do after winning the greatest match ever? Do you try and take it one step further to prove it was not just a fluke? Randy Orton clearly showed he has a lot left in the tank, and, when you give the Viper something to feed on, he will certainly take a bite.
Here are 5 possibilities for where Randy Orton can go next.
GO AFTER THE WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
It kind of makes perfect sense, right? The WWE Champion is considered as the top star in wrestling. So shouldn’t the winner of the greatest wrestling match ever be straight in as number one contender for the WWE Championship?
Drew McIntyre has been put over very strong so far since beating Brock Lesnar back at Wrestlemania earlier this year.
Now would be the perfect time for the Apex predator to step back into the championship fold against the Scottish Psychopath.
Orton is a 13-time WWE Champion, sitting only three behind both Ric Flair and John Cena. With Randy recently stating he wants to carry on wrestling for another 10 years, this is more than enough time to equal, and even surpass, the great record set by both men.
If booked correctly, the Viper could easily be portrayed as Drew’s biggest threat to date. Both Drew and Randy are certainly capable of putting on a stellar match, and the story is already written.
The WWE Champion vs the winner of the greatest wrestling match ever. The Claymore vs the RKO. One thing is for sure, both men have an instant story which could be painted beautifully in the ring.
BACK UP HIS TWEETED WORDS ON NXT
So, it is common knowledge what Randy Orton thinks about NXT, and how the matches they have vary compared to those Randy has on the main roster. He recently took to social media to discuss how he feels the NXT roster can benefit from more in-ring storytelling and less of the #legslap.
What better way for Orton to go and show he knows what he is talking about then going down to NXT and backing up all his statements as the winner of the greatest wrestling match ever.
Think of the instant classics he could have against the likes of Keith Lee, Finn Balor, Johnny Gargano and Adam Cole, or even his social media nemesis Tomasso Ciampa. It is a story that is very personal and automatically should engage the audience. With social media being used so much to build and start storylines in WWE, why not carry on with one that’s already been started?
It may seem very unrealistic for Orton to go down to NXT, but he is at the age now where he can give something back to the next generation, and with NXT looking at boosting the ratings in the Wednesday night wars, what better way then your main eventer to go and back up why he won the greatest wrestling match ever.
PUNT EVERYONE IN SIGHT
Remember back in 2009 when Randy Orton was the most vicious heel in wrestling?
Why don’t we go back and visit that place again?
Heels are, sadly, a dying breed in today’s wrestling, but if one man can pull off the act of being a truly conniving heel, its Randy Orton. Part of what made the Legend Killer so dangerous and despicable was the vicious punt kick to the head he would put on everyone in sight.
A move we had not seen for many years up until he used it to ultimately defeat Edge and win the greatest wrestling match ever.
Back in 2009, it was almost a case of who was Randy going to punt in the head this week? And even though we all knew it was coming, we all couldn’t wait to see who was on the end of it.
With the bravado and confidence Orton can claim after his victory over the Rated R Superstar, why should he partake in any more wrestling matches? He’s already won the greatest wrestling match ever.
If anyone wants to dare question him and call it a fluke, he could just punt them straight in the head and carry on with that last victory firmly in the back pocket.
Much like a returning Captain Charisma found out on Raw.
Christian decided to stand up for his best friend Edge and got knocked out cold by the dreaded punt. It only further adds to the persona and mystique of Randy Orton right now and how he plans to go forward. Blaming Christian himself for what happened in being left unconscious to close out Raw.
PROVE IT WASN’T A FLUKE
Almost the opposite of point number three.
Why does Randy Orton not go on and have absolute wrestling clinics with anyone and everyone?
Many claim the main roster is absolutely stacked with talent, so why don’t we prove just that.
Let’s get the mid-card guys to step up and take on the winner of the greatest wrestling match ever. Raw is loaded with such guys as Kevin Owens, Alistair Black, Andrade, Apollo, Murphy and Humberto Carrillo.
The list goes on and on.
Place Randy Orton as the greatest wrestler, as he won the greatest wrestling match, and treat a match with him as prestige. A chance to face and test yourself against the greatest. A chance for Randy to show why he is to be considered as one of the greatest ever, while elevating stars to the next level.
It is a no-lose situation for all involved.
It would be akin to when John Cena had his US open challenge, everyone involved was praised and applauded.
Let the Apex Predator constantly remind us why he is one of the greatest ever and use the match against Edge as a stepping-stone for greatness. And think of all the RKOs outta nowhere.
THE GREATEST WRESTLING FACTION EVER
You have just won the greatest wrestling match ever, so you may want to sit on a high horse for a while and handpick who to surround yourself with.
Now, Randy Orton is no stranger to factions, and was part of one of the greatest factions of all time in Evolution. He also went on to form the legacy in 2009, and, more recently, a short stint with The Revival as part of FTRKO.
Now while the latter was short-lived it could have been fantastic, given time. Much like Ric Flair and Triple H were mentors to Randy back in the good old days of Evolution, why don’t we let Randy become the teacher?
He already has the title of winner of the greatest match ever, so who wouldn’t want to surround himself or herself with someone great?
The title is already written: “The Greatest Wrestling Faction Ever”.
Let’s get the king of the RKO to hand pick a small mixture of both male and female talent to takeover RAW. Take individuals from already established factions and promise to make them the greatest. Go beyond what they can achieve if they stay with certain individuals. Or start brand new and call up guys and girls from NXT to truly take over.
Factions are a great way to introduce mid-card talent to the main event and who better than Randy Orton, hot off his win against Edge, to lead the greatest faction ever.
One thing is for certain; wherever Randy Orton goes from here, it will be truly intriguing. This is the most exciting The Viper has been in a long time. He seems like he has a hunger for wrestling again and, after putting on a great match against Edge, he has so many potential stories written for him.
With rumours of Edge being out of action for the rest of 2020, this gives Randy Orton plenty of time to carry the moniker of ‘winner of the greatest wrestling match ever’ before a third and final showdown with the Rated R Superstar.
Let us use it to involve many other superstars and storylines.
Where will Randy Orton go from here?
At least on the path to recognition as being one of the greatest wrestlers ever.
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