WWE: What's Left for Randy Orton to Accomplish?

Randy Orton, long-time WWE main eventer and top star, has had a tumultuous 2012.

First of all, he lost his role in The Marine: Homefront, WWE Studios’ third installment of its popular Marine franchise, after the real-life USMC kicked up a fuss to WWE about his patchy real-life military record.

Then he was suspended after failing a second drug test in May. More critically, per WWE’s wellness policy, if he fails again, he will be fired by the company.

He eventually returned, but appears to be personally frustrated with his role in the company, even claiming on Twitter he was eager to turn heel. Indeed, Dave Meltzer, talking about Orton on Monday night’s (free) Wrestling Observer Radio, noted, “He’s desperate to turn heel.” (Meltzer's comments come at roughly the 20-minute mark).

And let’s not even get started on his, eh, rather unprofessional behaviour at WWE’s Night of Champions pay-per-view last Sunday, when some fans at ringside caused him to lose his cool.

So, what’s next for Orton? What is his WWE future?

Well, it’s very possible that he has accomplished everything he can in the company—as a babyface at least. A multiple-time title-holder who has faced virtually everyone, it remains to be seen what he can do.

His interest in acting is also worth noting. He was noticeably upset when he lost his part in The Marine: Homefront, even taking to Twitter to make a snide and unprofessional dig at a military member who voiced his criticism of Orton's involvement and got dismissed from the role.

In recent times, his attention has turned to 12 Rounds: Reloaded, the sequel to the 2007 action-thriller 12 Rounds, which starred John Cena. Orton is scheduled to play the lead character in the film, which will start filming in a few weeks, and will be helmed by respected action director Roel Reine. Orton has discussed his enthusiasm for the role on Twitter, even hilariously wondering who the 64^th actress to play his wife will be.

Looking at it, maybe Orton is yet another wrestling star eager to parlay his success in wrestling into the movies?

Hey, we’ve seen it before. Most notably, we saw it with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who is currently one of the biggest male stars in Hollywood. While they haven’t had Johnson’s astronomical success, Steve Austin, Kevin Nash, Stacy Keibler and Nathan Jones also spring to mind as wrestlers that have gone into the movie industry and achieved some level of success.

Easier schedule (meaning more time with his family), less hassle, stress and politics…no wonder acting would be so attractive to Orton. It would also be a fresh challenge, something his wrestling career hasn’t presented to him in a long time.

Of course, a heel turn to rejuvenate his struggling career isn’t entirely out of the question, either. And certainly there is great appeal in a heel Orton vs. babyface Sheamus feud over the World Heavyweight Championship. It would probably help make Smackdown, which has been dragged down in recent times by the humdrum and seemingly never-ending Sheamus/Del Rio feud, interesting again too.  

But even if he does have one last run as a heel, there truly won’t be much left after that for Orton to accomplish in WWE. Combine this with his two strikes, and his long-term future remains up in the air.  Judging by his interest in an acting career, maybe Orton even knows this himself, and is looking at a possible future for himself outside the company.