WWE SummerSlam’s Greatest Ever Performers

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4. Randy Orton

Record: 6 wins, 4 losses, 7 Title Matches, 3 Main Events

Memorable Moment: Becomes youngest World Champion in 2004

Randy Orton has been one of the biggest WWE success stories in the new millennium, and a significant amount of his immense triumphs, both in terms of championship victories and in-ring performances, have taken place at SummerSlam. From the Legend Killer, to the vicious Viper, to today’s self-assured veteran, Orton has a long history at this event that has assured his legacy for years to come. Among the current competitors on the main roster, Orton’s status at this show is the measuring stick.

Few people get the main event in their PPV debut, especially in an event as huge as SummerSlam, but Orton managed that feat when he participated in the Elimination Chamber of 2003 for the World Heavyweight Championship. Whilst he came up short on that occasion, Orton would not have to wait much longer to taste that coveted gold, as he defeated Chris Benoit for the title to become the youngest ever World Champion in WWE’s history after an excellent contest. Orton’s success continued in 2005 against the Undertaker, as he made good on his promise to kill another legend, but did not experience success in his following two showings, failing to beat Hulk Hogan and then unable to capture the WWE Championship against John Cena.

Orton would redeem himself on this second failure in 2009, as he walked into SummerSlam the WWE Champion, and bested John Cena in the title defense thanks to some outside shenanigans. Similar inconveniences disrupted Orton’s attempts to recapture that belt the following year in a match with Sheamus that ended by disqualification, a factor that did not feature in his street fight World Heavyweight Championship win over Christian in 2011, capping off one of the year’s most captivating feuds. Orton would capture the WWE title again in one of his easiest night’s in wrestling, as he cashed-in his Money in the Bank briefcase to defeat Daniel Bryan. But, he would suffer a rare non-title defeat last year, falling to the rising young superstar Roman Reigns.

Next: The Undertaker