The Top Ten Matches of Randy Orton

Disclaimer: These are merely my opinion and I’m willing to discuss with anyone that wants to talk about  specific match.

#10 Randy Orton vs Ric Flair – Taboo Tuesday 2004 (Steel Cage)

This feud was all about respect. After being kicked out of Evolution, Randy Orton was sick of the ‘legend’ Ric Flair being Triple H’s lapdog. Flair didn’t believe that Orton was a Legend Killer until he beat ‘The Man’. This match packs an insane amount of violence into a ten minute period as Orton and Flair use their fists and the steel cage to physically destroy each other. After a failed chair shot by Flair, Orton picks up the win via RKO. As both men struggle to get to their feet, they embrace and finally have each other’s respect.

#9 Randy Orton vs Edge – Raw 4/30/07

A rare heel vs heel match that gets a good amount of time. Edge and Orton always had pretty good chemistry but it really shines in this one. Shoutout to Randy for trashing that hotel room in England, allowing us to get an hour long Cena/HBK match and then this. Edge has a counter for the RKO every time Orton tries it. After Orton’s final attempt, he has to stop himself from hitting the exposed turnbuckle and as he turns around, he takes a spear from Edge, taking the L.

#8 Randy Orton vs Rey Mysterio – Smackdown 4/7/06

Rey Mysterio’s first title defense as the new World Heavyweight Champion came against Randy Orton on the first Smackdown after Wrestlemania 22. Orton seemed to have an answer for everything Mysterio had to offer. However every time Orton seemed to be in the driver seat, Rey would manage to struggle out of a move and take down Orton, giving himself some time to recover. Ultimately two 619s and a springboard leg drop give Rey the win in a fantastic match.

#7 Randy Orton vs Christian – Over The Limit 2011

Christian finally won his first WWE World Championship in May of 2011. Unfortunately for him, his generosity got the best of him and he lost the title to Randy Orton the same week. In the rematch at Over The Limit, Christian scratched and clawed his way through the match and sadly came up short every time. Orton got the win and Christian showed him respect after, but it was clear their feud isn’t over.

#6 Randy Orton vs Edge vs John Cena vs Shawn Michaels – Backlash 2007

After retaining the WWE title at Wrestlemania 23 against Shawn Michaels, Cena had to defend the title against HBK and both members of Rated RKO at Backlash. This match is 20 minutes of pure action. Everyone had a bit of beef with everyone in this match which allowed a bunch of smaller stories to be told. Ultimately Cena gets the win after eating a Sweet Chin Music but landing on Orton. As Michaels was out of energy, he couldn’t break up the pin in time.

#5 Randy Orton vs The Undertaker – Armageddon 2005 (Hell in a Cell)

Randy Orton and The Undertaker had been feuding all the way back to March of 2005. Orton, the Legend Killer was set out to end the legacy of one of the greatest of all time, The Undertaker. And despite having two victories over Undertaker, trapping him in a casket and lighting it on fire, Undertaker was still here and badder than ever. In this brutal match Orton and Taker destroy each other within he confines of Hell in a Cell. This match features everything from the steel steps, steel chairs, tables and even Cowboy Bob Orton almost accidentally infecting both Undertaker and his own son with hepatitis C. Ultimately Undertaker was able to get the last laugh in the feud.

#4 Randy Orton vs Chris Benoit – Smackdown 1/13/06

This match was the final match in a best of seven series between Chris Benoit and Booker T for the United States Championship. Booker T went down with an ‘injury’ and Orton filled in. In a nearly 30 minute long match, Benoit and Orton both came incredibly close to victory. As the referee was down, Booker T interfered and hit Benoit with the title, allowing Orton to get the victory in a fantastic match.

#3 Randy Orton vs Cactus Jack – Backlash 2004 (Hardcore match)

This is the match that legitimized Randy Orton. Up until this point Orton was still the pretty boy that got where he is because of who his family is. But after taking a brutal beating from Mick Foley and getting thrown into a pile of thumbtacks, people began to realize that this guy is tough as nails. Orton defeating Foley was a huge step in making him who he is today.

#2 Randy Orton vs Rey Mysterio – No Way Out 2006

This feud definitely wasn’t for everyone because it exploits the death of Eddie Guerrero. However it still drew me in and actually made me far more emotionally invested in the feud because of that. I hated that Randy Orton used Rey Mysterio’s emotions over Eddie’s death to get him to put his WM title shot on the line. I hated that Orton straight up bullies Rey for most of this match and I mark every time Rey starts to fight back. Orton cheating and using the ropes to get the win was such a deflating feeling but that’s the way WWE wants you to feel in that sitaution. It was done pretty well. The match itself is just overall fantastic wrestling.

#1 Randy Orton vs Shawn Michaels – Survivor Series 2007

Going into this match Randy Orton sacrificed the championship advantage (he could now lose the title via DQ/countout) to stop Shawn Michaels from being allowed to use the Sweet Chin Music. The entire match, Michaels tries to fight the urge to use it and uses a multitude of different submissions to try and put Orton away. Orton can’t weasel his way out of it because a DQ would cost him the title. Michaels instinctively going for Sweet Chin Music and stopping himself allowed Orton to RKO him and get the win in a phenomenal match.