One of the biggest questions heading into WrestleMania 41 surrounds what’s planned for Randy Orton. He was originally supposed to face Kevin Owens, but the latter was forced to the sidelines because of a neck injury. Orton has continued to target WWE SmackDown General Manager, Nick Aldis. This has led to a growing rumor that Orton will have an open challenge at some point at WrestleMania 41.
WWE has the opportunity to do something interesting at WrestleMania with this open challenge. Orton is a performer who is close to the main event, never far from a title opportunity. Either Cody Rhodes or John Cena will walk out of Las Vegas with the Undisputed WWE Championship and Orton could be a top contender for either man.
This is why it’s so interesting to see what happens if Orton gets an open challenge at WrestleMania 41. Things can go in so many different ways.
Two perfect opponents exist for Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41
For example, what if Nick Aldis answers the challenge himself? WWE viewers may know him for his excellent suits every Friday, but Aldis is a highly accomplished performer in his own right. He’s a multiple-time NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion and has held titles in several promotions throughout his career. Aldis is only 38 years old and can still perform with the best in the world.
There’s also another route that this could go. Instead of stepping in the ring himself. Aldis can hire a special enforcer of sorts. The news that Rusev is set to return to the WWE has circulated for weeks. Expectations are that he will return during the WWE Monday Night Raw after WrestleMania, but what if Owens’s injury opened the door for him to have an earlier return?
Rusev and Randy Orton have history together, and this would be a great way to reintroduce him to the WWE Universe. It is a feud that puts him right near the top of the card and into title contention.
Even though Kevin Owens is hurt, Randy Orton should still be involved in WrestleMania 41. The open challenge is the way to go, and WWE has two interesting options to take at a time when Orton needs a big feud.