WWE: Why Randy Orton Deserves the Spotlight

Women love Randy Orton, and men would rather be Orton than Sheamus.

Smackdown needs another big name as Sheamus is doing an okay job, but Orton could really help the show out with some star power.

But so far, Randy Orton’s return has been lackluster, and he looks unmotivated.

It’s hard to blame him though.

He’s reached some incredible heights in this business, but the last couple years he’s taken a backseat in the major story lines.

Without knowing him personally, it’s impossible to say what Randy Orton is like backstage.

He sounds like he’s been a trouble maker in the past, but he seemed to be making attempts at slowly maturing in the business (at least before his second strike on the wellness test at least).

Maybe his past troubles are why WWE chooses to do so little with him. But that’s not benefiting anyone.

His WrestleMania 27 match against CM Punk (who was much less popular at the time), largely felt inconsequential. His match against Kane this year was even worse, and didn’t even need to be on the show.

Cena had just finished feuding with Kane and beat him multiple times. It felt like Orton was getting Cena's leftovers. The match felt entirely forced and appeared to be booked just to get the two veterans on the show, and the fans could tell.

The weeks after WrestleMania 28, Orton still didn’t have a compelling feud. He then failed a drug test and disappeared for 60 days.

During that time, it would have been nice if WWE creative came up with something for him to do in his return. Instead, he beat Heath Slater in a squash. Then he wrestled The Big Show.

At this point, he’s not even scheduled for the biggest show of the summer.

Why did WWE bother bringing him back if they had nothing for him? In a storyline sense what is Orton’s goal? Why was Orton gone? The majority of fans didn't know why. Orton was simply gone one day and returned a couple months later.

Imagine if John Cena disappeared for 60 days, returned and didn’t explain where he went. Try to picture him showing up again with no hype, and wrestling a jobber his first match back.

WWE should put more stock into Orton. They've invested so much TV time and marquee matches on him in the past, that they shouldn't be throwing that away.

He’s clearly not at Cena’s level in overall popularity, but the male audience doesn’t hate him anywhere near as much as John.

With male teenagers leaving in droves, it’s important to keep anyone that can appeal to that age group around. A heel Orton could especially get this part of the crowd behind him.

Orton is also a couple years younger than John, less over exposed, and is a better in ring performer than him.

Of course, there is the wellness policy issue. And it is a big one.

Because of his two strikes, Randy absolutely should not be pushed as the top guy in the company. It would be too risky to have him strike out. Imagine WWE potentially having to scramble to replace him in a WrestleMania type main event.

But can’t WWE find a nice role for him in-between doing random TV matches and being the top act?

If WWE is going to keep him around, they should at least use him in a money making position. That’s the point of a wrestling company, to put their talent in a position that will make everyone the most money.

Orton doesn't seem to be into his current role, and so far it's been a waste of his talent and everyone's time.