How Randy Orton Revived Bray Wyatt’s WWE Career
By Dean Siemon
Randy Orton has become a veteran presence that may have revived Bray Wyatt’s WWE career. The interesting partnership could boost the Eater of Worlds higher.
There was once a time when Bray Wyatt showed the potential to be the top villain in the WWE. The creepy music mixed with an attire of a friendly tourist made for one of the most unique characters the WWE had seen in a while. Sure, it has expanded on what Waylon Mercy could have been. But Wyatt certainly has all of the qualities that could put him at the top of the WWE Universe.
However, there has been a recurring theme with Wyatt that occurred since he debuted in July 2013. Wyatt would find himself built up for major rivalries with main event superstars like John Cena and Roman Reigns. Outside of a win over Daniel Bryan at the 2014 Royal Rumble, Wyatt has lost a majority of his feuds.
But his recent battles with Randy Orton have led to more than just getting quality wins. In fact, it may have set up one of the most powerful factions the WWE has seen in a long time. A faction that may be the vehicle that has revived Bray Wyatt’s WWE career.
Fans were frustrated with the creative direction for Wyatt. It felt as if they were building him only to tease his loyal followers. But it seems like the trend has finally started to turn 180 degrees. It all started with his recent feud with Randy Orton. Wyatt chose to attack the Viper, claiming that the former 12-time world champion was “damaged.”
Wyatt would get a forfeit win in their first battle during Backlash in September. Their rematch at No Mercy in October saw Wyatt get a victory under No Holds Barred with the help of Luke Harper. With two victories, one was wondering if this was the big win that Wyatt needed. But he got more than just the big win in a major feud.
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Orton would join forces with Wyatt. At first, it seemed awkward to consider that Orton would play second fiddle to Wyatt. But as he would explain in an interview with USA Today’s For the Win, Orton is embracing the role of veteran mentor to younger stars; especially with someone who is also a third-generation superstar like Wyatt.
The team has taken a stranglehold on SmackDown Live. They were responsible for getting the blue brand their big Survivor Series win over Raw in the main event. The WWE quickly followed that up with Orton and Wyatt winning the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship at TLC.
This wouldn’t have happened with Luke Harper or Erick Rowan alone. Both men are certainly beneficial as monstrous bodyguards. But Bray Wyatt was in need of a veteran mind to help him reach the next level. While Randy Orton has been the WWE’s Apex Predator for more than a decade, he’s taking the next step in his WWE career. Instead of being the lead, he’s putting over the next predator that will likely rule the WWE.
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The team of Wyatt and Orton could slowly grow into a unit that can be as powerful as the Undertaker’s Ministry during the Attitude Era. It’s the type of push that Wyatt should have had in the first place. Orton was just the final piece in a puzzle to Wyatt’s main event picture.