Why Kofi Kingston vs Randy Orton for the WWE Championship needs to happen

In a matter of a week, WWE Champion Kofi Kingston will be defending his belt against Dolph Ziggler inside of a steel cage at the Stomping Grounds pay-per-view. This should be another successful title defense for Kofi; hopefully, not hindered by controversy like the previous encounter at Crown Jewel. Afterwards, it seems like another match with Kevin Owens and a rumored match with Shane McMahon are on the horizon for the champion. It’s unsure if this will be Kofi’s one and only world title reign. If it is, then there is one person who should be a contender and would not only be essential to his reign but is to his eleven years in the company.

That person is Randy Orton. Yes, in the year of 2019, I don’t think there are many fans clamoring for “The Viper” to be in a program for the WWE Championship, which he hasn’t been in since his feud two years ago with Jinder Mahal. And, if recent house show reports are any indication, Orton might be the one to “knock on” Aleister Black’s door. If that feud is to happen, then it would be a great opportunity to present Black as a top player. However, if Orton was to challenge Kofi, then it would a perfect way to bring back old wounds and further cement Kofi as a credible champion. No disrespect to Owens and Ziggler, but they haven’t been presented as top guys on a consistent basis like Orton.

WWE is often a victim of revisionist history but in the few times Kingston and Orton have clashed, the two have made references to the infamous moment when the latter called the former “stupid” in 2010 on Raw after a blown spot. Before Kofi's Road to WrestleMania 35 commenced, wrestling fans never thought Kofi would ever receive a push like that again in his career, which is why it is still a touchy subject. That’s all the feud needs to run with. Randy extinguished Kofi when the New Day member was a rising star, so it’s only fitting that the “Apex Predator” would relish doing it again while he is the champ. Despite being a fighting champion, 2010 could haunt Kofi, as Orton’s words would carry weight to them. Also, Kofi and Orton can fire off passionate, shoot-esque promos, which is what fueled Orton's 'Mania feud with AJ Styles immensely.

Despite that big negative of their 2009-10 feud, fans do remember how intense it was and, of course, the memorable MSG moment Kofi had. There’s no reason for why all of that could not be expanded with a bigger prize: the WWE Championship and different outcome: Kofi winning. History and motive are there. All that is needed is a stage, and there just so happens to be a big event on the horizon in the summer called SummerSlam.