WWE SmackDown 5 Predictions: Paige’s Big Announcement

Credit: WWE.com

5. Randy Orton Defeats Jeff Hardy

Randy Orton has been low-blowing and ear-pulling Jeff Hardy. It has been pure torture for Hardy this past week and he was so close to winning back the United States Title from Shinsuke Nakamura until Orton screwed it up for him. Orton and Hardy need to settle this rivalry with a match.

If a match ensues, I foresee Orton winning to solidify his heel turn. Also, it would be his first match since his return so a win should be in store for him. Jeff Hardy always gives it his all in any match he is involved in. However, Orton has been more dangerous and vicious than he has ever been; Hardy’s 99% is good enough, but not good enough to beat Randy Orton.

Nonetheless, it seems to me that Orton is making an example out of Hardy to threaten Nakamura in the process. It certainly feels like a vindictive and calculated threat that only the Viper is capable of implementing. When Michael Cole used to say that “The Apex Predator is on the hunt,” he surely was not kidding.

A triple threat U.S. title match would be perfect for Nakamura, Hardy, and Orton at SummerSlam. The dynamics that are interplayed among these three are off the charts. Orton really kicked this U.S. title feud into high gear, and a win for him in a match with Hardy tonight on WWE SmackDown is well deserved.