Randy Orton is headed to the main event of WrestleMania - well, at least that's the tagline. We all know that winning the Royal Rumble doesn't necessarily guarantee that you'll be in the final match at the show of shows, however, things have been more positive in recent years with the last four winners of the Battle Royal doing just that.
With that being said, it's time to start examining who we think The Viper will face at the Citrus Bowl. There are a number of big time Superstars in the running for the honour, and with the Elimination Chamber coming up in the next few weeks, everything will soon become a lot clearer regarding the finalised card for WrestleMania 33.
When it comes to who would be the best match-up for Orton, it really is anyone's guess. There are several top level wrestlers on SmackDown Live right now that could give The Apex Predator a great match, but it really does all depend on who walks out of the Chamber with the WWE Championship.
Regardless of who it is, though, we're pretty confident that Orton will put on a great show in Orlando. With that in mind, let's look at five potential WrestleMania opponents for Randy Orton.
#1 John Cena
Once in a lifetime? Try a few dozen.
The second that Randy Orton won the Royal Rumble match, thousands of fans around the world groaned at the prospect of seeing him face off against long term rival John Cena once again. Figures suggest that the two men have faced off 22 times on WWE television over the years, and that's just a few too many to comprehend for certain members of the WWE Universe.
However, what they fail to mention is that the two icons have yet to have a one on one match at WrestleMania. Now whilst that doesn't mean we haven't seen it before, it does make things feel fresh if this is indeed the route they decide to go down. Besides, we both know they can put on a world class match so there's no huge issue here.
Onto Orton's Wyatt Family brother and leader.
#2 Bray Wyatt
This seems like both the most likely and logical option considering the connection between Orton and Wyatt. They've been locked in a storyline together for months now, ever since The Viper decided to join Wyatt's clan, with many people fearing that it would be a short-lived storyline.
However, it's gone on for quite a while now and Mania feels like the perfect place for a blow-off match.
The Eater of Worlds could win the title inside the Chamber before defending it against Orton, with Randy turning his back on Bray at the soonest possible convenience in order to begin the feud. It would shoot Wyatt straight up into the upper echelons of the main event scene, and it could finally lead to Wyatt's first victory on the grandest stage of them all.
We move onto a man who these two know quite well.
#3 Luke Harper
Luke Harper appears to be on his way to starting a babyface run, which could be the best option for him right now. The man mountain is one of the most impressive Superstars on the SmackDown Live roster, and a successful singles run has been long overdue for him.
No matter what his character alignment, Harper always seems to be on form and a match against Randy at WrestleMania could provide the perfect platform for him to shine.
It's likely that the match would also include Bray in a Triple Threat format, but either way, it'd be a fascinating contest. Whilst Harper probably wouldn't walk away with the strap, it'd be a great experience for him to be in a World Title match at the biggest show of the year.
Who knows, in twelve months time we may be seeing him in a consistent main event position on the blue brand. From a former IC Champion to a former WWE Champion.
#4 AJ Styles
AJ Styles is still recovering from his loss to John Cena at the 2017 Royal Rumble, but that doesn't mean that all hope is lost for The Phenomenal One. Styles could easily win the WWE Championship back inside the Chamber, going on to face Orton in a match that many people have wanted to see, ever since the former TNA Champ arrived in January 2016.
It would likely be one of the major contenders to steal the show in Orlando and rightly so because these two men are unbelievably talented both in and outside the ring. Who would be the heel and face remains to be seen, but it could easily work either way regardless of the situation.
We'd all likely be hoping for a Styles win, but that trusty RKO can indeed come out of nowhere. We conclude with a man that Randy already knows pretty well.
#5 The Undertaker
This one would likely be a lot harder to set up, but given the history between these two men, it would be worth it. Orton and ‘Taker faced off at WrestleMania 21 when Randy was just a rookie, in a match that really put the youngster on the map.
Now, thirteen years later, Orton is a bonafide legend and could cap off his journey by defeating The Deadman at the showcase of the immortals.
Obviously, ‘Taker would either have to be a surprise entrant into the Chamber and win it or he'd have to cost Orton his World Title shot. Both are equally likely, and given that this was rumoured for WrestleMania 32 for a brief period of time it doesn't seem beyond the realms of possibility. Just imagine the video package they'd come out with, too - glorious stuff.
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