Word Life Vol. 12: Tag Team Crossroad Pt.2 Ultimate Opportunist & Hearing Voices

Weclome to the next installment of the "Word Life" multi-part series "Tag Team Crossroad". Before I get started I would like to address my article picture. I don't want anyone to be confused, but if you're are familiar with Poke'mon then you'll know that Edge and Randy Orton are dressed as Team Rocket in this picture. They were the team of Jesse and James who always tried to capture Ash's Pikachu.

Getting back to the topic, this installment will cover The "Rated R" superstar, Edge and the "Legend Killer", Randy Orton. Both of these up and coming stars have bright futures ahead of them. They formed their team "Rated RKO", both having the same goal...getting rid of Degeneration X (HBK and Triple H).

Edge had enough problem fending off WWE's No. 1 title chaser John Cena, but he had a thorn in his back side in the form of DX. Edge couldn't do it alone, so he added fuel to fire reminding Orton of how he's been unsuccessful following his termination from Triple H's stable, "Evolution" two years back in 2004. Orton rekindled with Triple H and with HBK, whom he collided with during his tenure with Evolution and his legend killing days.

The team went on to capture the tag titles, by beating Ric Flair a bloody tomato red, making the DX/Rated RKO feud personal. The two feuded with DX and ultimately defeated them when Triple H had a real life injury during a tag team match between the two teams at a no longer existent "New Year's Revolution" PPV, and HBK was left to fend for himself. Their success was short lived as we seen the deterioration of the once powerful stable.

First, they lost the tag titles to John Cena and Shawn Michaels. Next, they both had earned a spot in the Money In The Bank match being held at Wrestlemania 23. This resulted in further tension in the team as both Orton and Edge expressed their desire for a shot at the WWE championship and made it clear that nothing will stand in their way. It didn't matter because Mr. Kennedy won the Money In The Bank that year.

The breakup ultimately occured and Edge sqaured off against Randy Orton. Edge would come out victorious and move over to Smackdown, but not before defeating Kennedy for his Money In The Bank contract. Edge then went on and cashed it in against The Undertaker, who he defeated and won the World Heavyweight Championship.

While Edge continued to live up by his moniker "The Ultimate Opportunist", Orton began a path of destruction that started with defeating and taking out HBK at Judgement Day.

The list would grow with the additions of Sgt. Slaughter, RVD, Dusty Rhodes, Ric Flair, and it continued all throught the summer until Orton earned a title shot for the WWE championship after punting John Cena's dad, John Cena Sr. Orton would lose at Summerslam.

Edge fended off all challengers for his "World Heavyweight" championship including Undertaker, and Batista who couldn't challenge Edge for the championship after he lost numerous times and agreed to the "last chance match" stipulation.

Edge would suffer a real life injury and would have to relinquish the title. Orton would later face John Cena again at Unforgiven, and won by DQ. The title did not change hands, however Orton would take out John Cena (Cena also suffered a legitimate injury).

Orton would be crowned WWE champion at No Mercy and would defend it against Triple H, who egged on Orton. Orton lost within seconds with a roll up pin. Triple H would face Umaga later on, and Orton again in the main event, since Orton had a contract for a Last Man Standing match against Cena.

Orton was still entitled to his match and defeated Triple H after an RKO on the announce table. Triple H stood down for ten count and Orton began his 3rd World title reign. He also became the only man to win the WWE championship twice in the same night, thus beginning the Age of Orton.

Edge would return at Survivor Series 2007 when he interfered in the Undertaker vs Batista World Heavweight championship match that took place in a Hell in a Cell. Edge would soon announce his relationship with Smackdown GM Vickie Guerrero. He would get a world title shot that very same night and defeated the Undertaker after vicious chair shots.

In 2008, The age of Orton was still going strong after Orton beat everyone who challenged him from HBK, Jeff Hardy, and Chris Jericho. Edge fended off the Undertaker all the way until Wrestlemania 24. John Cena returned from his injury and was the surprise No. 30 in the 2008 Royal Rumble.

Cena won the Rumble and went towards Orton. Cena was still angry about what Orton did to his father, so he cashed in his Wrestlemania shot and used it to face Orton at No Way Out, which Orton won by DQ.

Smackdown also held an Elimination Chamber match with the winner getting a shot at the World Heavyweight championship at Wrestlemania 24. Undertaker won the chamber and had his eyes set on Edge.

Both Edge and Orton defended their titles at Wrestlemania. In a shocking turn of events, Orton stole a victory and became the 2nd heel in history to retain the WWE championship at Wrestlemania (first is Triple H, who retained at Wrestlemania 2000).

Edge, wasn't so lucky as he lost the World Heavyweight championship to the Undertaker. The age of Orton would go on until Backlash, where he lost it in a fatal four way match for the belt between himself, Cena, JBL, and the winner of the match, Triple H. Edge couldn't defeat Taker so Vickie stipped Taker of the belt at Judgement Day 2008.

The WWE 2008 draft in June ordered very single WWE superstar to attend RAW on that hot summer night. WWE champion Triple H, had beaten Randy Orton one last time at One Night Stand for the WWE championship (Orton suffered a real injury).

He was drafted to Smackdown, which now had both world titles. Edge came out and laughed at RAW for not having a world championship. This led to Batista coming out and leaving Edge on his back. CM Punk would come out soon with a referee and cash in his Wrestlemania 24 Money In The Bank, He pinned Edge and became the new World Heavyweight Champion and Edge left Raw...title-less.

While Orton was still out, Edge became furious with Vickie with what had happened and called off their wedding. The wedding would be back on, however, Vickie didn't marry Edge when Triple H showed a video of Edge cheating on her with future WWE diva, Alicia Fox. Vickie's rage would lead her to putting Edge in a match against the Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell match at Summerslam. Edge would be defeated and sent to "hell" after being chokeslammed through the ring.

In Novemeber, Orton would return to the ring and face CM Punk, who he punted at Unforgiven and CM Punk couldn't defend his title...so the match went on without him.

Chris Jericho was crowned World Heavyweight champion that night. Orton would begin to build his stable, The Legacy. At Suvivor Series 2008, Team Orton defeated Team Batista which sparked a feud between the two. Edge also returned at Survivor Series where he took an "attacked" Jeff Hardy's spot and earned his 6th wrold championship reign.

Edge would go on to defend the WWE championship in a triple threat match at Armageddon 2008. Jeff Hardy would realize his dream by winning the match. Orton would face Batista for number one contendership to face Cena for the World Heavyweight championship at The Royal Rumble 2009.

Batista would defeat Orton and earn the shot. Orton continued the feud. Later in the month, Cena and Batista tagged to face Orton and his Legacy (Cody Rhodes, and Ted DiBiease). Legacy held Cena outside the ring and Orton punted Batista out of the title picture. Batista also suffered a real life injury.

Orton would lose another contendership match on RAW, which JBL won. Orton feuded with Stephanie McMahon the RAW before the rumble, and shocked the world when he punted WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon.

Orton would go on and win the Royal Rumble. Edge would get his rematch against WWE champion Jeff Hardy at The Royal Rumble in a no DQ match. Thanks to Matt Hardy, Edge was victorious and was able to enjoy is 7th world championship reign.

Edge must now defend his title in an Elimination Chamber at the upcoming No Way Out. Orton had to deal with the McMahons and promised he would sue the WWE and have an injunction to cancel Wrestlemania XXV if fired. Orton wasn't fired but was beaten up by Shane McMahon.

The Legacy and Orton got their revenge when they ambushed Shane and Stephaine McMahon backstage. This almost resulted in Stephanie getting punted, but Shane saved her. Orton will face Shane O' Mac at No Way Out, as he continues his quest to Wrestlemania.

This pretty much wraps up the last two years for both of these superstars after they split their group. So the question is who is better off? Who has done better? Who will do better? I couldn't choose as they both had high and low moments so I decide its a draw. Think you have the answer? I'll leave it up to you then...Word Life.