Randy Orton Suspended: Only He Can Get Away with It

It always pays to have something other people can't live without—just ask Randy Orton.

If Randy Orton weren't Randy Orton, I'd have a hard time believing that he'd still be in WWE. The guy's had three suspensions, two on account of wellness policy violations and the other because he was “unprofessional.”

Randy Orton has matured greatly over the years.

I recall a night with him at a hotel in 2007 before he had cleaned his backstage image up: He was locked out of his room, which was across the hall from mine, so he used my room phone to call down to the lobby for a new key (to avoid going downstairs, where the fans were gathered). Let's just say that he didn't have any kind words for an older lady who didn't appreciate how loud he was being after midnight.

He was certainly a hell raiser.

The guy is talented, but the bottom line is that he screwed up.

Orton is signed with WWE until 2019, he is a franchise player and he's been given a lot of rope to grow in the company.

He needs to get his act together.

When you're a top guy like Orton and there is big money invested in you for a long time, you have to be above this. I don't care if it was an innocent infraction—like taking a supplement which unbeknownst to him had an ingredient in it triggering the failed drug test—or if he had an urge to inhale.

It was inexcusable to have happen...again.

There are hundreds of guys spending $50 for gas to drive to local community centers to get paid $25 to perform for low-rent, independent promotions. Orton is a top guy (and justifiably so) in a top spot in the top company.

He needs to walk a little more on eggshells.

We all make mistakes, but at the end of the day, you're still one mistake away from having to be fired.

Then what do you do?

One of those fighting clichés goes something like, “When you're back is against the wall, you find out what you're really made of.” This might apply to WWE. The names of established WWE talents who have retired, work a very light schedule or are inactive is alarming.

The state of WWE's roster right now reminds me of 1994: There were many names coming to their ends with WWE, and it was billed as “The New Generation.”

WWE gave it that billing because they were trying to break away from the names of the past, many of whom were leaving for WCW.

I feel WWE does have one of the best—if not the best—pools of talent ever coming from FCW, just as when WCW took the established talent in the 90s, which forced Vince McMahon to create new stars.

WWE's being forced to give new faces more time to shine could be a blessing in disguise.

Names such as Ziggler and Rhodes must step up and fill voids on the top of the card. Then, new names must help fill the rising roles of the midcard which will be vacated.

Sixty days of no Orton: It's time to find out what some of these other guys are capable of with more time.

Good thing Orton wasn't given the lead role in The Marine 3 after all.

Follow @JustinLaBar