Why Randy Orton Must Win at Hell in a Cell

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Hell in a Cell is this Sunday, and features a double main event contested within the Devil’s Playground. Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins will unleash their hatred and fury upon each other in a personal encounter months in the making. And in the other main event, John Cena and Randy Orton will resume their decade-long rivalry in their 9th singles match on PPV, and 23rd overall. Whilst the continuation of this feud after so many matches together has not been welcomed by all members of the WWE Universe, the latest RAW added some fuel with the announcement that the winner of this match will become number one contender for Brock Lesnar’s WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

That sole stipulation may not change the formula of the match, but it has immediately made Cena vs. Orton a far more compelling spectacle. Now, they have something worth fighting for in Satan’s structure other than just their dislike of each other, which should heighten the intensity of the bout. Kudos to the WWE for making this decision to regain the flagging interest of those yet to commit to ordering the PPV. But, now they have to ensure that another good decision follows by having Randy Orton come away the victor in this pivotal contest.

Why must Orton win this match? Surely it would make more sense for the face John Cena to come away with the victory considering Lesnar is as heel as it comes? Cena is yet to get a fair rematch for the championship he lost as SummerSlam to the Beast Incarnate. And though he suffered two of his most brutal beatings at the last two PPVs, he looked set to regain his title at Night of Champions after hitting four AAs, until he was interrupted by Seth Rollins’ interference.

But, after headlining the last two events, the prospect of witnessing Lesnar demolish Cena until the challenger makes an outstanding recovery is in danger of becoming stale and repetitive. Although Cena by virtue of his NoC performance should be entitled to another opportunity. But Orton as a challenger to Lesnar offers a fresh and interesting alternative that should be too good to pass up.

Lesnar and Orton have only ever competed in one match in their time in the WWE, and that was in September 2002. Lesnar was WWE Champion, and Orton was a plucky rookie who had only debuted five months earlier. Now, Orton is a seasoned veteran and one of the most decorated world champions in wrestling history. He has won everything that needs to be won, and is as crisp and unblemished in the ring as anybody on the entire roster. Lesnar once again stands atop the mountain as champion, but in the twelve years since these two last fought, he has conquered both the UFC and the Undertaker’s Streak.

This is a match that is entirely original, a battle between two stars that began at the same time with radically different paths to the top. Lesnar was a genetic freak, with extraordinary size and power, that was shot straight to the main event and belonged, and upon his return assumed the status of a star attraction. Orton took his time to rise to the top but was clearly destined for greatness. Third-generation superstar, mentored by Triple H and Ric Flair in Evolution, and became a certified main event star around 2007, coincidentally whilst feuding with his opponent this Sunday, John Cena.

Lesnar from the point of view of raw power would likely dominate the match like he did against Cena. His throws, strikes and kicks would likely Orton flailing on the canvas for the majority of the contest. But, one of the most interesting aspect of Cena’s rivalry with Lesnar was the assertions by Paul Heyman that for Cena to win, he would need to embrace the darkness that exhumes from the portion of the crowd that despises everything he stands for. Become a ruthless, vindictive killer, with no morals or conscious, with the sole aim of winning and taking opponents down in the process.

Enter Randy Orton, the man who has come to define ruthlessness in the WWE. Although he has become softer and more cowardly under the protection of the Authority, this feud would be the ideal means to reinvigorate that dormant side of his character. Heyman, who already experienced an RKO by Orton on RAW as a perfect way to get in the head of the champion, could goad the challenger by stating that the Authority has made him weak, and lose touch with his inner aggression. The faction has metaphorically de-fanged the Viper.

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The match could therefore not only be a unique, first-time experience to witness, but tell a story of Orton’s redemption and rediscovery of his vicious and sadistic nature to combat the strength of Lesnar. Orton has an explosive nature in his ring style that Cena lacks, and with the RKO, currently the toast of the Internet, he has a finishing maneuver that can strike at any time, even when he has been beaten down for extended periods of time. That can add an element of jeopardy that the Lesnar/Cena rematch was missing, and despite Cena’s Superman status, it is perhaps more believable for Orton to get the victory. And if Lesnar is going to make it through Survivor Series as champion regardless of the challenger, there might as well be a new opponent.

Finally, rumors have been circulating that Orton will be making a face turn in the near future. So, what better way to gauge the crowd’s acceptance of him as a babyface than in a match where he will be the underdog against the clear monster heel Lesnar. Threatening Heyman and sneak attacking Lesnar would keep him as a heel, but during the match the crowd would undoubtedly get behind him if he is able to get the better of Lesnar at some point. Remember, the last time Orton made a face turn it was predicated on the back of the excellent response he received at Royal Rumble 2010 when he faced Sheamus for the WWE title.

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Thus, for the sake of making Orton a compelling, unique and special character once again, it is imperative that he wins his Hell in a Cell match against John Cena. For the fans, it gives them an opportunity to see and entirely new match-up between two top tier stars, and gives them incentive to get behind Orton when he makes his face turn. Cena can be better employed down the card with something involving Seth Rollins, other Authority members or perhaps against Dean Ambrose. Lesnar is a guaranteed draw for PPV buys, but Survivor Series would go over the top with this kind of match, and not another tiresome, repetitive bout with Cena.

And, in all likelihood Brock Lesnar will be champion at least until WrestleMania. So, why not give the crowd something different and see how they respond? They have nothing to lose, and we’ll certainly get to see an RKO out of nowhere.