How Randy Orton Became the Unsung Workhorse of WWE

Randy Orton is one of WWE's most successful superstars today, and he still has a long career ahead of him.

The third-generation superstar came into WWE with the potential to be molded into one of the biggest stars in the industry, and that is exactly what happened.

When the teenage Orton first stepped into the ring, it was clear he had the athleticism to pull off a career, but he needed the discipline that could only come from being around veterans.

Enter Evolution. With Ric Flair and Triple H guiding the young Orton, it seemed as if there was going to be nothing that could stop him from rising to the top.

As he became one of the youngest World Champions in the history of the business, it looked like WWE was setting up Orton to be one of their main stars.

As time went on, he gained more and more titles while vanquishing some of WWE's biggest names on some of the biggest stages in the business.

Legends like Triple H, Shawn Michaels and even The Rock have been in the ring with Orton and ended up with a big fat "L" in the records books.

Orton rose to the top very quickly and did something not everyone who reaches the top can do—he stayed there. Even after two wellness suspensions and a few major injuries, Orton has managed to be one of the main guys Vince can rely on for a great show.

Nowadays WWE is using Orton in another way, and it is not necessarily a bad thing. Orton is helping to put others over while still managing to appear to be one of the most dangerous men in the company.

Guys like Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk and Sheamus have been elevated by competing with the Viper in PPV matches, even without titles on the line.

Orton has been without gold for longer than I can remember in years, but that does not mean he is being punished for something.

Orton is WWE's top workhorse these days, and he has gotten that title by performing at an extremely high level, whether at house shows or WrestleMania.

He takes his work seriously and knows the kind of weight he has on his shoulders with regards to WWE's expectations from him, and he performs above par every time.

Orton will no doubt hold championship gold again soon, but for the time being I am enjoying him have great matches and feuds that do not have a title as the focal point, because it allows fans to care more about the wrestlers and not the title on the line.

When SummerSlam rolls around, you can bet that WWE will have something big planned for Orton. The plans for him to face Brock Lesnar may not come to fruition, but there are plenty of top-tier athletes in WWE who can tear the house down with Orton.

For now, CM Punk and Sheamus are doing a great job of being WWE's top good guys—but you can bet that sometime soon they will be in the Viper's sights for an RKO or punt kick.