Matt Riddle should strike Randy Orton first to kick off their feud

Fans expect that Randy Orton will turn on Matt Riddle, but what if Riddle turned the tables on The Viper.

Matt Riddle is working hard to learn all that he can from multiple-time champion and future Hall of Famer, Randy Orton. The two are currently WWE Raw Tag Team Champions, poised to take on The Street Profits at WWE Day 1. Everyone is waiting on the moment that Orton hits the RKO on Riddle, but Riddle should out the ultimate lesson in “Viperdom,” and struck Orton first to set off their singles feud.

Orton and Riddle began working together in April. The Team RK-Bro skits were the perfect path to Orton doing what Orton does and planting Riddle with an RKO, leading to what would have been exception singles matches. But eight months later and the team is still functioning well. So much so that they are enjoying a 130-day run as champions.

But everyone knows what’s coming. The “three deadliest letters in the WWE,” RKO. Orton has seemingly hit everyone on the roster with the RKO at some point, but Riddle’s antics have kept him immune from his wrath. At least to this point. Sadly, WWE seems to form teams simply to eventually break them up, for better or for worst. At some point Riddle and Orton will split up, but who will be the cause of the destruction of Team RK-Bro? That’s where the swerve should come into play.

Riddle turning on Orton would be his “final lesson.”

Riddle’s goal is to learn everything that Orton has to offer. He’s an exceptional mentor for the “new” WWE talent, as he’s reached nearly every accolade that one could attain. However, Orton has a penchant for turning on anyone, at any moment. Perhaps he still has trauma from his time in Evolution, but sooner or later, his partners get face planted.

Riddle may play dumb, but perhaps he’s smart enough to see this coming and instead hits a preemptive RKO on Orton instead. Riddle’s put on some great matches in the last few months against the likes of Bobby Lashley, AJ Styles, Chad Gable, and others. WWE must recognize main event value in Riddle, which is reflected in how he’s booked, even in the face of allegations that stemmed from Speaking Out. A major feud with Orton helps place Riddle in that position for eventual runs at the top of the card.

While Riddle is already seen as a top star in the promotion, a long-term singles feud between him and Orton goes a long way in building another individual that could carry the top of shows. WWE needs more individuals that can be seen in such light. Riddle finding a way to outsmart Orton and strike first would be an interesting wrinkle to kick off what is to come.