Summerslam 2004Randy Orton has, for the longest time, been second in line to the throne. His time may have come and gone and come again, but the fact of the matter is that despite being a huge draw he’s still in the shadow of John Cena. But The Viper has definitely created a legacy over the years- something that has made him a great heel but an even better anti- hero.His ‘RKO Outta Nowhere’ is WWE’s very own pop culture phenomenon. And Summerslam has been quite instrumental in his career.As the biggest party of the summer arrives, here are the top 5 most memorable moments brought to us by Randy Orton:
#5 Legend Vs Legend Killer (2006)
Orton did not, I repeat, did not win the match. But this match happened at a stage where Orton had already perfected the ‘Legend Killer’ gimmick. It remains, till date, the best gimmick he’s ever played.
The feud began when Orton began seemingly flirting with Brooke Hogan, Hulk Hogan’s daughter, and then on the same episode of Raw attacked Hogan. He actually RKO’d Hogan on the back of his own car.
Despite the fact that Orton lost his match at Summerslam, a match against Hogan was instrumental in getting more attention to Orton.
#4 Defeated Undertaker (2005)
Now that’s a feat not many can boast of. Orton faced Undertaker at Wrestlemania 21. And obviously we all know that he couldn’t have beaten The Deadman at Wrestlemania. But he got a chance again to rekindle this feud. This was extended to Summerslam and Orton actually came out victorious. And being a heel, the victory was certainly not clean. As was the case before Wrestlemania, Orton’s father ‘Cowboy’ Bob Orton provided the distraction for his son. Orton Sr. actually came to the ring disguised as a fan and it was only after his son gained the pin for the win that he revealed his true self.
#3 Cash- in (2013)
Orton became Mr. Money In The Bank for the first time in his life in 2013. Daniel Bryan became the WWE Champion for the first time in his life in 2013. Both these couldn’t co- exist and hence began The Authority storyline. Bryan provided the moment of the year by defeating Cena clean in the ring with Triple H doing the 3 count for the pin and the win. This moment lasted for just a few minutes as Orton walked towards the ring only to pause and turn back, seemingly deciding against cashing in and walking away backstage. Triple H delivered a pedigree to Bryan and the heel turn was complete.
Orton won his seventh title and the reign lasted for almost 8 months.
#2 RKO Outta Nowhere
The rivalry between Randy Orton and Christian is not only the best rivalry of both their careers, it’s also one of the most underrated rivalries in WWE history. These two never disappoint. They’ve always had great matches together. This feud in 2011 was overshadowed by the another great feud between John Cena and CM Punk, yet 2011 was the best year of Christian’s career where he won the World heavyweight Championship not once but twice. In a matter of three months these two provided one of the most entertaining feuds of the year.
At Summerslam, Orton regained the title he lost to Christian at Money In The Bank by delivering an RKO Outta Nowhere on the steel steps.
#1 Youngest World Champion
This was the gamechanger, the crowning moment and the push that moves you ahead on the ladder of the WWE. Randy Orton defeated Chris Benoit at Summerslam 2004 to become the youngest World Champion in WWE history. That immediately catapulted him into being counted as a main event star. This phenomenal leap did not sit well with his fellow team members in Evolution. The following night on Raw, all of them ganged up on their young comrade to teach him a lesson.
Summerslam 2004 was all about Orton taking the reigns and moving ahead with it. A coming of age story, you can say.
