Randy Orton has been lost in the shuffle lately on SmackDown to the point that he has become merely a side quest for all storylines involving his star pupil, WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. Whenever Cody Rhodes has an opponent for his championship, that opponent battles Randy Orton for momentum build towards a title match. Drew McIntyre did this by defeating Orton on the September 12, 2025 episode of SmackDown. For a 14-time World Champion who has been in this business for over 20 years, Orton deserves a lot better on SmackDown, so things need to change.
On the October 3, 2025 episode of SmackDown, Paul Heyman said that he has been calling and emailing Orton to betray Rhodes, as he deems Rhodes dead weight holding Orton back from his peak state. Heyman was correct because Orton teamed up with Rhodes that night and not only lost but also got taken out of commission by the Brons in the Vision. Instead of nonsensically inserting Austin Theory into the Vision, WWE should consider adding Randy Orton to the Vision to make this heel turn massive. Here is why WWE should pursue that idea en route to the War Games Match.
(1) Randy Orton Can Create Legacy 2.0
Randy Orton is known for leading a group called Legacy back in 2008-2010. The group consisted of second generation superstars like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Ted Dibiase. Imagine how spiteful it would be if Orton answered that phone call from Paul Heyman, betrayed Cody Rhodes, and joined some fellow second-generation superstar in Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed? That would turn Cody Rhodes' heart into a heart of glass, and it would provide a means for Orton to challenge Rhodes for the WWE Title as a credible threat rather than as a sidekick who loses at every PLE in 2025.
(2) Randy Orton Can Lead The Vision
Other than spiting Cody Rhodes, Orton can also spite Seth Rollins, who is currently injured and miserably watching the TV screen at home. When Seth Rollins betrayed The Shield in 2014 and joined The Authority, he stole Randy Orton's spot as Triple H's golden boy. Orton can get back at Seth Rollins by becoming the new established leader that the Brons need. Fans may think that Breakker and Reed are ready to be world champions, but they should not be rushed into it. They should instead win tag gold while Orton goes for his 15th World Title and brings gold back to the Vision.
(3) Randy Orton Can Steal Survivor Series
Orton does not need to dethrone Cody Rhodes to win his 15th World Title. If he really wants to get under Seth Rollins' skin, he can target the title that Seth Rollins never lost. That title is currently held by none other than CM Punk, who stole Randy Orton's comeback moment from back surgery at Survivor Series 2023 by having an even bigger return to the company after being unceremoniously fired by AEW. Orton has a lot of history with Punk from Mania 27. Back then, Punk lead The Nexus in an attempt to take down Orton. Now, Orton can lead the Vision in an attempt to take down Punk.
As the old adage goes, if you can't beat them, join them. During his time in Evolution, Randy Orton was the coal that was squeezed into the next diamond. Now, in the Vision, he can help elevate the diamonds that can be grated into the next netherite. As the road to WrestleMania gets closer, the time is now for WWE to step up their game with one of their most popular and talented stars. The fans need more long term booking and less lollygag booking because the three most destructive letters in sports entertainment was never WWE. It has been and always will be RKO.
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