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Randy Orton has seen a career resurgence throughout 2020. Through a well layered feud with Edge, Orton has once again become "The Legend Killer," punting his former friend and other former rivals. Randy seems more motivated than ever to prove himself as one of the greatest of all time.
Throughout a legendary 18-year career in the WWE, Randy Orton has made his mark and became one of the biggest stars in the company since the Attitude Era. All the way back in 2004, Orton truly broke out for the first time with his "Legend Killer" persona through a classic rivalry with Hardcore legend, Mick Foley. His battle with Foley at Backlash 2004 still holds up today as one of Randy Orton's greatest matches of his career. Orton would parlay that to becoming the youngest World Heavyweight Champion in WWE history at SummerSlam 2004.
Over the years since then, Randy Orton has been accused of being lazy or less than motivated in the ring and even on the mic. He has been the type of WWE Superstar who has needed the right opponent and storyline to truly sink his teeth into. If the opponent or story was not up to Orton's standards, many fans have made the case that Orton did not deliver on his all time great potential. However, this year has proven to be vastly different.
Here, we will take a look at the reasons why 2020 has been the best year in the career of Randy Orton.
#3 The return of "The Legend Killer" Randy Orton
Over one of the most storied careers in WWE history, Randy Orton has been known as many different monikers. Orton has been known as "The Viper" and "The Apex Predator," living up to those nicknames with his actions. However in 2020, we have seen the return of "The Legend Killer."
First with his deeply personal rivalry with former friend, Edge, then through his encounters with Christian and Big Show, Randy Orton has lived up to his first moniker more than ever before. Back in 2007, Randy Orton introduced his deadly Punt Kick, taking out legends such as Shawn Michaels and Rob Van Dam. He later would use the Punt against the likes of John Cena's father, Vince and Shane McMahon.
With the return of "The Legend Killer," we have seen the return of the Punt Kick to take out former friends and rivals. Randy Orton has used the Punt to take out Christian, Big Show, and even his former mentor, Ric Flair. However, it was the first victim of the Punt who can take the most credit for this rejuvenated Orton.
#2 Randy Orton vs Edge is one of WWE's best feuds of the year
One of the biggest moments in WWE this year was, of course, Edge returning at the Royal Rumble 2020. This moment had every member of the WWE Universe on their feet at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. The passion and emotion shown by Edge returning after nine years away made everyone realize how special this moment was.
In the Royal Rumble match, Edge came face-to-face with his former rival and friend, Randy Orton. The two teamed up to eliminate The OC before Edge caught Orton trying to sneak up on him then eliminated Randy from the match. This instance would lead to a bigger and even more shocking moment the following night on RAW.
On the January 27 episode of RAW, Edge made his comeback promo detailing his journey back to the ring. This promo was one of the best of the year, but the angle that followed will be remembered for years to come. Randy Orton would come down to congratulate his friend on his return, chronicle their long relationship and tease a Rated RKO reunion. However, Orton turned on Edge with a sudden RKO then a violent attack with a steel chair, ending with a Con-chair-to.
Randy Orton would explain that he did this for Edge's own good and to spare his family the pain of someone else taking away his dream again. Randy would take out Edge's former rival, Matt Hardy and then Edge's wife, Beth Phoenix, which would lead to their match at WrestleMania 36. Through the actions of Orton and the amazing promo work of both men, this match would be the most anticipated on the road to WrestleMania.
Although their WrestleMania Last Man Standing match was met with polarizing views from the WWE Universe, no one could deny that their rematch at Backlash 2020 was one of the best matches of the year. "The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever" billing for Edge vs. Randy Orton had many fans skeptical, but both men delivered a stellar contest that proved why they are two of the best to ever step in the ring.
Orton would defeat Edge with a low blow and Punt Kick which would take The Rated R Superstar out in storyline. Edge's bicep injury would prevent the feud from its conclusion, but it has not stopped Randy Orton from continuing his quality work in and out of the ring. Through this feud with Edge, Randy Orton has proven himself as not just the best heel in WWE but also one of the best characters in all of professional wrestling today.
#1 The empty arena effect on Randy Orton's promo and character work
While Randy Orton has always been able to convey his character through his actions, his promo work has always left something to desire for most fans. However in 2020 with the empty arena era due to the pandemic, Orton has developed into the most compelling WWE Superstar on the mic. His current "Legend Killer" persona has been enhanced by his stellar promo work throughout the empty arena episodes of RAW over the past few months.
Whether he was explaining why he took out Edge and Christian for their own good or why Ric Flair had become a liability to his career, Randy Orton has elevated his game on the mic. The empty arena era has seen individuals have to change the way they did promos. Many WWE Superstars have been in the habit of cutting promos for the crowd reactions, but Randy has shown an ability to use the empty arena effect to show more emotion in his facial expressions during promos.
Orton's delivery in these promos have helped his character tremendously. While Randy Orton is known for his sudden actions with RKO's out of nowhere, his slow delivery has made every word that he has had to say count just a little bit more. He has even shown an ability to foreshadow his future actions like his promo before the non-sanctioned match against Big Show leading to his turn on Ric Flair.
Randy Orton has been even better in the lead up to his SummerSlam 2020 WWE Championship match against Drew McIntyre. The current WWE Champion has been one of the best performers himself this year and in the empty arena era. McIntyre exudes confidence and strength in his words and has had a strong WWE Championship reign in the ring.
However, after battles with Bobby Lashley and Dolph Ziggler, going up against the former 13-time world champion Randy Orton has to be looked at as a major upgrade in challenger. These two men have elevated their feud to lead to one of the best-built WWE Championship matches in quite some time and a worthy main event for the Biggest Party of the Summer.
Whether it's been this current feud with McIntyre or his exchanges with the many legends he has encountered this year, the empty arena effect has been more of a positive than a negative to Randy Orton's work as a character. After a nearly 20-year career in WWE, it has been refreshing to see Orton at this top form and putting in some of his best-ever performances. This is why 2020 has been the best year in Randy Orton's career.
