Big Show vs. Randy Orton at Survivor Series Will Exceed Expectations

The backlash to WWE booking Randy Orton and Big Show at Survivor Series has been boisterous, but it will be a match that inspires more awe than many fans may expect.

This may not be the match many fans wanted to see or the answer to improving pay-per-view buyrates, but two future Hall of Famers will put on an impressive performance. Their resumes promise as much.

Triple H vs. Big Show would have made more sense from a narrative standpoint. It's the COO with whom Big Show has issues. The man who took his house, humiliated him for weeks and tried to ban him from WWE for life would seemingly be the one Big Show would look to fight, not Orton.

After watching Daniel Bryan's quest for the WWE Championship falter again and again, it's hard to now get behind "The World's Largest Athlete," to root for him to knock Orton off.

Fans are still pining for Bryan to be in the hunt for the title.

A common perception is that Orton vs. Big Show will be underwhelming, the word "boring" coming up often when discussing the bout.

The buzz for this match flickers. The anticipation is minimal for many. 

Still, with all the buildup it will receive and the amount of experience of the men involved, Orton vs. Big Show will leave many of its doubters applauding.

A History of Chemistry

The key to Big Show's appeal has been his size and larger-than-life presence; no one's going to mistake him for Chris Jericho in terms of in-ring ability. His best matches have been against men like Orton who can serve as ring general, who can balance Big Show's lumbering style with speed and athleticism.

Their previous meetings have proven that this dynamic results in entertaining action.

Earlier this year, with a shot at Undertaker at WrestleMania 29 on the line, Sheamus, CM Punk, Orton and Big Show battled in a Fatal 4-Way on Raw. The story was about Punk's win and his chance to end Undertaker's undefeated streak at that event, but Orton and Big Show's confrontation had a healthy amount of spark.

With their other foes momentarily out of action, Orton and Big Show met in the ring alone, trading fists in a hard-hitting portion of the match. 

When these two met on SmackDown in 2012, looking to become the No. 1 contender for the World Heavyweight Championship, they displayed how theater and story can counterbalance a lack of speed in a match.

Alberto Del Rio attacked Orton before this began, leaving Orton vulnerable in his battle with the giant. The match's pace was slow, but Orton's dramatic suffering elevated it.

He writhed on the mat as Big Show squeezed his injured ribs. Big Show looked destructive here, a compelling, powerful force. The two men told a story of survival, of a hero's resilience. The roles will be reversed at Survivor Series. 

With all the aggression and animosity that the Orton-Big Show feud promises, we can expect the upcoming WWE Championship match to be as intense as their clash at Extreme Rules 2013, even without the use of weapons.

That bout was one of Extreme Rules' best, Orton and Big Show's chemistry improving a match with little buildup.

They will have this same chemistry heading into Survivor Series, but now with far more on the line. Regardless if the audience wants Big Show to win the WWE title, the stakes of the bout are enough to make every pin attempt more exciting and every finisher more of a stirring sight.

The supporting players of this drama will add to the entertainment value as well.

X-Factors Lurking

Triple H isn't the only one who could change the course of this match. A number of potential surprises could happen, making this a much more thrilling encounter.

F4WOnline (h/t WrestlingInc.com) reported in October that "Big Show's 'rogue' appearances on last night's RAW are likely going to be a part of Vince McMahon's return to the storylines." McMahon returning would be a welcome surprise, the kind of twist that takes a good match and makes it an unforgettable one.

Was McMahon behind Big Show's actions the whole time? Is this the catalyst for a Triple H and McMahon war? Either of those options betters this main event. 

New Director of Operations Kane could have a hand in how this story plays out as well.

Maybe Kane is sent to make sure Orton stays champ. His attempt to do that, whether it is successful or not, would be an intriguing addition. The Shield could also play a big role, perhaps even turning on The Authority.

The fact that WWE has so many pieces to play with going into this match can certainly lead to overbooking, but it could just as well result in actions, moments and surprises that make folks glad they ordered the pay-per-view.

There is potential for excellence, both from the wrestlers competing for the championship and the enemies and allies likely to get involved.

Orton vs. Big Show isn't likely to get Dave Meltzer to hand out five stars, and it may not be a classic or the year's best match, but it will be far better than many expect it to be.

If one can forget about what might have been, stop thinking about how to better book this event and just trust the performers to do their job, the Survivor Series main event will be a captivating one.