WWE SmackDown: Why Tye Dillinger Really Needs This Randy Orton Feud

Tye Dillinger was one of the unlikely successes of NXT as “The Perfect 10”. Since debuting on SmackDown in 2017, he has not had a consistent presence on the brand like he was in NXT. However, Dillinger’s developing rivalry with Randy Orton could create the perfect situation for “The Perfect 10”.

At the beginning stages of Tye Dillinger’s NXT tenure, he was just a name with the highlight of his early days with the brand being his relatively short-lived tag team with Jason Jordan. As the NXT roster was just starting to load up with highly regarded talent from around the world, Dillinger simply appeared to be a depth spot.

It wasn’t until he reinvented himself as “The Perfect 10”, that he began catching on with the NXT audience. This transition saw Dillinger slowly start to transition from being the go-to sacrificial lamb for a big independent star’s debut match into becoming NXT’s favorite underdog.  Even in defeat against a debuting Apollo Crews at the inaugural NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn event, Dillinger generated more positive fan reaction from the crowd than expected.

It wouldn’t be until a year later that Dillinger would get extended time in the spotlight, thanks to a rivalry with Bobby Roode that culminated in a match at NXT TakeOver: Toronto. Although Roode won the match, Dillinger’s warm post-match reception from the Toronto crowd showed the NXT audience’s commitment to his rise.

This commitment translated well onto the main roster as the Alamodome erupted when Dillinger—fittingly entering at #10—made his Royal Rumble debut. Just a few short months later, he became a member of the SmackDown roster as part of the 2017 Superstar Shakeup.

Dillinger spent a decent chunk of 2017 in contention for the United States Championship but was unsuccessful. By 2018, he had clearly faded into the background but did get a spotlight match against Shinsuke Nakamura for the United States Championship which ended when Randy Orton interfered to attack “The Perfect 10”.

While a simple loss to Nakamura was likely a widely predicted outcome, a rivalry with Orton could not come at a better time for Dillinger. Orton has become much more interesting since reverting to the diabolical, calculating persona that brought him to new heights in the late 2000’s. Despite declaring open war on SmackDown’s beloved heroes, Orton essentially wrote Dillinger off as an anomaly in his crusade in a backstage interview.

Dillinger returned fire on the following SmackDown but was overwhelmed by Orton. The former World champion specifically targeted the NXT alum’s finger, signifying his annoyance with “that Perfect 10 crap”.

Throughout the course of Dillinger’s time on the main roster, he hasn’t had a sustained rivalry that catalyzed a rise in the ranks. Working with someone as decorated as Randy Orton could do wonders for Dillinger’s stock as the Canadian’s dauntlessness is a solid counter for Orton’s growing savagery.

With Crown Jewel and Survivor Series set to take place next month, Dillinger is in a favorable position to showcase the determination that fans grew to love in NXT and possibly score his biggest victory to date.