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WWE: AJ Styles and Randy Orton Got Us Mega-Hyped for WrestleMania

By Joe Anthony Myrick

Randy Orton (L) tries a move on Rey Mysterio during the WWE World Cup Quarterfinal match as part of as part of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Crown Jewel pay-per-view at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh on November 2, 2018. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP) (Photo credit should read FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images)
Randy Orton (L) tries a move on Rey Mysterio during the WWE World Cup Quarterfinal match as part of as part of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Crown Jewel pay-per-view at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh on November 2, 2018. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP) (Photo credit should read FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images) /
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It’s official. AJ Styles and Randy Orton are due to throw down on the Grandest Stage of Them All: WrestleMania! 

The build-up to this match was simple enough. A couple backstage staredowns here and there, followed by a physical altercation at WWE Fastlane. Truth be told, WWE didn’t have to do a lot to book this match. Based on their ability alone and a solid SmackDown contest the two had a couple years ago, we all knew right off the bat these two could tear the house down together.  Before tonight, we all knew the road WWE were heading down with this one, but it was the pair’s promo-off during SmackDown Live that sold us on the match.

On paper, hearing two guys argue over who owns and built a hypothetical metaphor to an imaginary house sounds wacky. However, because both men are tremendous at their job, it turned out to be the most captivating moment on SmackDown (well, thus far at least – the show is still going on as of this writing).

Both men delivered some of the best promo work either man has provided in their career and that’s saying something. Orton delivered some truly scathing lines – the best being “I’m the landlord and rent’s due, you son of a bitch” – while Styles had a biting counter for every verbal onslaught from The Viper.

Most importantly, the two painted an interesting picture paralleling their respective careers. Orton argued that Styles was a step behind him because he was “shaking hands” in “bingo halls” for dirt cheap, Orton was winning titles and becoming the youngest WWE Heavyweight Champion ever. Meanwhile, Styles argued that while he earned everything he got in his career on the indies, Orton had been handed everything he got. From Evolution to Legacy to The Wyatt Family, Orton has been surrounded by “babysitters,” according to Styles.

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With each ounce of venom spewed, you could feel the sheer fire emanating from both men. It felt just as intense – if not more – as it needed to be. Within a short span of time with nothing but words traded, the volume of this feud was raised to 11 and we couldn’t be more excited for their match at WrestleMania.