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We are getting closer and closer to WrestleMania season as the 2019 Royal Rumble PPV event is just around the corner. One superstar who is guaranteed to have a spot on The Grandest Stage of them All is none other than the third generation superstar who is also known as The Viper, Randy Orton.
Orton has accomplished everything that he could possibly achieve as he is a multiple time champion in the WWE. He has held world championship gold 13 times which is definitely a huge feat for The Viper. Currently, Orton is at the stage where he is hunting for victims, in a storyline that is similar to his Legend Killer gimmick, but this time, nobody on the Smackdown roster is safe from Orton's wrath.
Here are 5 potential superstars that can possibly face Randy Orton at Wrestlemania 35.
#5 EC3
On March 28th, 2018, we witnessed the debut of EC3 in NXT as he had announced that he would be competing in the 6-Man Ladder Match for the NXT North American Championship at NXT Takeover: New Orleans. It was a moment that didn't come as a surprise to the fans due to the fact that he had previously left Impact Wrestling to return to the WWE under his new character.
However, on December 17th, 2018, it was then announced that The One Percenter would be debuting on the main roster. We have already seen him appear on episodes of Raw and SmackDown, as Vince McMahon has attempted to give the wrestling world an insight into EC3 and who he is.
EC3 currently hasn't been assigned to Raw or SmackDown yet, but facing off with Randy Orton at WrestleMania 35 would definitely be a big moment for him. It is likely that EC3 will receive a huge push due to the fact that he can hold his own on the mic, and the EC3 character is definitely main event material as we've seen before in Impact Wrestling where EC3 won multiple championship belts.
The 'One Percenter' is a viable option to compete as a babyface or a heel. If the WWE wanted to introduce EC3 to the SmackDown Live brand as a face, Orton would make the perfect foil for him as The Viper could attempt to make him into his next victim.
We have seen EC3 before in the WWE, but this was when he was competing as Derrick Bateman. This could be potential reasoning for Orton targetting him, as he could goad EC3 for not making it as Bateman, so what would make him think that he could make it in the WWE as EC3? Furthermore, it would also be a fantastic way to get EC3 over with the WWE Universe by having him feud with a big superstar like Orton.
#4 Mustafa Ali
When it comes to heart, there is nobody on SmackDown Live that has a bigger heart than Mustafa Ali. Ali had debuted in the WWE as part of the 205 Live rosters, and despite the fact that he didn't win the Cruiserweight Championship, he did indeed make a name for himself with his tremendous abilities to tell a story in the ring.
Ali is the young underdog that SmackDown has desperately needed, which is why SmackDown is the perfect brand for him. When Ali made his debut on the main roster, we saw him immediately confront Daniel Bryan for his recent actions towards AJ Styles and other superstars. He stepped up to Bryan like no other superstar did, and despite the fact that he lost to Bryan in his debut, he received a round of applause from many superstars in the back.
The reason why Ali would make a great opponent for Orton is due to the fact that both men are the complete opposites at the moment. Orton is currently performing as the cold heel who just wants to destroy anybody in his path, whereas Ali is the resilient underdog who is simply trying to make it in the WWE.
Let's not forget that Ali also holds a win over Bryan, as he pinned the WWE Champion in a Tag Team match whilst teaming up with AJ Styles. Despite the fact that Ali failed to gain a shot at the WWE Championship for the Royal Rumble 2019 event, he is still a very credible opponent to take on Orton at WrestleMania 35.
#3 Rusev
The Bulgarian Brute is another solid option to take on Orton at WrestleMania, due to the fact that he is the current US Champion. We have seen Rusev and Orton have multiple matches before whether it was a singles bout or a multi-man bout, but whenever these two have crossed paths, it has always been Rusev as a heel and Orton as a face.
But now, the roles are clearly reversed due to the fact that Rusev is a babyface who is very over with the WWE Universe. These two have always been able to put on decent matches, so it would be intriguing to see how both superstars would fare in a match with different alignments.
Orton has held the US Championship before, and with the WWE Championship being occupied by Daniel Bryan, who is also a heel, it seems highly unlikely that he will challenge for the belt any time soon. The Viper has always been a great option to dip into the upper mid-card or lower main event scene whenever needed.
With Lana also being back on Rusev's side, this could also be another good way to boost the rivalry between Rusev and Orton. You could have Orton attempt to flirt in a sinister way with Lana in an attempt to get into Rusev's head. After all, a heel Orton isn't shy when it comes to playing mind games at all.
#2 Samoa Joe
Imagine seeing The Destroyer Samoa Joe go head to head with The Viper at the biggest PPV of the year?
Both men are currently performing as heel superstars, but a potential match featuring Joe and Orton is definitely a dream match for wrestling fans all over the world. We have to yet to see these two compete against each other which can be seen as a shock, but it is a blessing at the same time due to the anticipation it could create.
When it comes to the squared-circle, Orton and Joe are very hard hitting and they show no remorse to their opponents. Both men have very similar characters in the fact that they love to destroy, and they have a lust for violence. Joe has always been comfortable on the mic, whereas Orton is in his element when it comes to cutting promos as a heel.
Neither men would even have to switch alignments, as we've seen before with Joe during his feud with Lesnar as both monsters were competing as tweeners, allowing the fans to cheer whoever they want. The wars that Joe and Orton would have in the ring would be nothing short of brilliance.
In 2016, when Joe was speaking to NOLA during an interview whilst being in NXT, he mentioned Randy Orton as he stated "we've kind of run parallel but have never crossed paths. I would definitely love to get in the ring with him and mix it up." Fast forward 3 years later, and both men just happen to be on the same brand. The fact that Joe has always been interested in facing Orton suggests that we may see this match in the future.
#1 AJ Styles
Finally, at #1 on the list, we have none other than The Phenomenal One, AJ Styles.
AJ Styles has been at the peak of his WWE career whilst being on SmackDown Live, as he has proven that SmackDown is indeed the house that he built by being the WWE Champion for over 371 days which is a huge accomplishment. He has been an established superstar from the moment he stepped foot into the WWE.
We have previously seen Styles and Orton go head to head in the ring before, as the two men had battled it out on the 7th March 2017 episode of Smackdown with the winner getting to headline WrestleMania 33. The two superstars had displayed fantastic chemistry, which means that they would definitely put on the match of their careers on a bigger stage.
There is no denying that Styles vs. Orton is definitely a match that is credible enough for Wrestlemania, as you have the biggest face on SmackDown Live as well as one of the most decorated superstars in WWE history. The fans have been clamouring for this match to occur on a big platform for a very long time.
Rumours have also emerged in the wrestling world that The Phenomenal vs. The Viper may even take place at WrestleMania 35, and it was a rumour that had all the fans buzzing. With Orton also being a certified heel, you have the traditional face vs. heel aspect if this rivalry was to ever come into fruition which would make it a lot more satisfying.
Do you agree with any of these decisions? If not, who do you think should face Randy Orton at Wrestlemania? Drop a comment in the section below!
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