The WWE’s rookie class of 2002, including John Cena, Batista, Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar are perhaps the most successful batch of talents that have grown to unprecedented heights in the WWE in terms of market draw, in ring talent. Barring Brock Lesnar, most of the superstars are used to exhibit excellent abilities both in the ring and the on the microphone. Brock for his part has made Paul Heyman his advocate and he does most of the talking for him.
Most of the superstars of this class have been granted a part time schedule. It is safe to say that they have earned whatever the WWE offers them now. Talking about Randy Orton, he has been roughly back for SmackDown for the past two months, but has more of an on and off schedule owing to his concussion and shoulder issues. Apparently Randy Orton made some kind of deal with Vince last year which had him reduce his workload by somewhat working a lighter non-televised schedule.
Talking about Randy’s televised matches, his most recent match with Lesnar has been a matter of contention of late. It went to the extent where even the veteran Chris Jericho confronted Lesnar about the way the match ended. Apparently it was Vince’s idea for the match to end in a TKO. Vince was particularly impressed with the way Orton took the beating and also the way he handled the issue with Jericho.
Whether Vince’s feelings towards Orton would result in a 13th title reign remains to be seen. The general feeling among most of the WWE officials is that the title picture has been written for the next several months and as expected, AJ Styles is expected to carry the title for most of the year.
Although as we previously reported, Cena may not feature in the title picture at WrestleMania if the Undertaker makes up his mind to come up for another match. That would leave an option for Styles to go against Orton at the grandest stage of them all. Will Vince finally decide to have another title for Orton? Time will only tell.
- Updated card for the WWE Royal Rumble pay per view - January 28, 2017
- WWE SmackDown Results – 01/24/2017 - January 26, 2017
- WWE RAW Results – 01/23/2017 - January 24, 2017
