Ryan Dilbert's 10-Count: Randy Orton Heading in Intriguing Direction

1. Change is Coming for The Viper 

WWE is hinting in a heavy-handed way that Randy Orton is set to turn babyface, and it's a welcome move.

Although Orton's viciousness makes him more naturally suited to play a heel, the timing is right to make a change. For one, WWE is without several top babyfaces, namely CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns. Secondly, Orton has been relegated to a sidekick role with The Authority.

He takes orders from Triple H, Kane and Seth Rollins.

Gone is the unstable predator that he once was. Gone is the sense that he's a man worth fearing.

Rollins hit Orton with a Curb Stomp on Monday's Raw, an attack that likely signals The Viper breaking away from The Authority.

Credit: WWE.com

With the shift, he can become more of a scowling anti-hero, a lone wolf who is tired of serving as other people's goon. That's sure to get him even more spotlight and perhaps even a crack at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

Triple H announced on Raw that the winner of Orton vs. John Cena at Hell in a Cell will face Brock Lesnar for the title.

WWE may decide to go for Cena against Lesnar once more, but the more compelling, fresh matchup is Orton against The Beast Incarnate.

Just a week ago, the third-generation star seemed headed for a ho-hum clash with a familiar face. After he floored Paul Heyman with an RKO, suffered an attack from Rollins and has the No. 1 contender's spot within his reach, things are becoming mighty interesting for him.

2. Main Event Showcasing Tyson Kidd

With Raw focused on WWE's biggest names and storylines, Main Event offers the company a chance to have under-the-radar stars shine. That's what has been happening with Kidd as of late, the show playing home to his reemergence. 

After rarely appearing on WWE programming other than NXT, Kidd has battled three different opponents on recent editions of Main Event.

On Sept. 30, he took on Kofi Kingston. Jack Swagger collided with him on Oct. 7. And most recently, Kidd and R-Truth put on an entertaining match on Tuesday's Main Event.

These contests have been a reminder of Kidd's fluid, fast and fun in-ring style. Beyond that, his character has become more of a draw after refining it on NXT.

He's not your typical heel; He's a selfish jerk willing to put his wife in harm's way for a win.

He proved that again in his victory over R-Truth. Kidd used Natalya as a distraction, pouncing on his foe when he stopped himself from running into her.

This is a smart usage of Kidd and Main Event. Now WWE just needs to apply this strategy to Zack Ryder.

3. Throwback Promo of the Week: Ox Baker

Douglas Baker, better known as Ox Baker, is no longer with us. As reported by Mike Johnson on PWInsider, Baker passed away over the weekend.

Baker was one of the most memorable heels in wrestling history, an intimidating beast of a man. Beyond his distinctive facial hair and heart punch, he was known for an aggressive interview style.

Lou Thesz speaks with him here, Baker putting on a clinic on how to come off as vile and terrifying.

Today's heels would be wise to reflect on what Baker did so well throughout his career. 

4. Best of the Randy Orton vs. John Cena Rivalry

Cena and Orton's paths have crossed time and time again. They will do so once more at Hell in a Cell.

While it's certainly a rivalry WWE has overused over the years, it has provided a number of outstanding bouts. For those who missed out on the past battles between these two titans, check out the following matches:

• Randy Orton vs. John Cena: Jan. 19, 2002 (Ohio Valley Wrestling)
• Fatal 4-Way with Shawn Michaels and Edge: Backlash 2007
• WWE Championship match: SummerSlam 2007
• I Quit match: Breaking Point 2009 
• Superstar of the Year match: Raw—Dec. 14, 2009

5. Rusev Needs a Second Weapon

WWE should be contemplating what finisher Rusev should utilize in addition to The Accolade. Having both a pinfall finisher and one that gets opponents to submit would provide variety to his matches. It would also aid the WWE bookers.

If the company doesn't want Big Show to tap out at Hell in a Cell, for example, but wants The Bulgarian Brute to win, officials' options are limited.

Alberto Del Rio had the superkick to go with his cross armbreaker. Bryan added the flying knee to pair with his Yes! Lock. Rusev needs an alternative signature move as well.

The superkick is overused as a finisher right now, so that's not the best idea. Perhaps borrowing from the past is his best option. In the '90s, it seemed just about every big man finished off foes with a powerbomb.

Vader, Sid Vicious and Kevin Nash aren't active anymore, though. Going with the powerbomb as a finisher would suddenly feel fresh.

6. Non-Title Losses Coming Too Often

It's baffling how often WWE makes its midcard champs look weak. As PWTorch's Greg Parks points out, Monday's Raw was an especially bad night for titleholders: 

Dolph Ziggler has suffered far too many non-title losses as of late, hurting the power of the Intercontinental Championship he wears. Per CageMatch.net, The Showoff has lost four straight matches, falling to Rusev, Orton, Rollins and Cesaro.

United States champ Sheamus has suffered two recent losses to The Miz.

Pinning a champion should be rare. Otherwise, they don't come off as any more special than the folks not carrying around gold.

One of the issues is that WWE relies on the same narrative of a challenger pinning a champion in non-title action which earns them a future title shot. The focus should instead be on wrestlers clobbering each other for a chance at either Sheamus or Ziggler. Have the champs be the mountaintop challengers strive to reach, not the launching pads for their momentum.

If instead WWE scripts its champion to fall again and again, these titles feels more like curses than prizes.

7. Booking Suggestion: The Dudley Boyz

Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley could soon be having fans flash back to The Attitude Era. Per PWInsider (h/t WrestlingRumors.net), there is mutual interest between that team and WWE.

Should they return, there's a ready-made story for them to tell.

The tag team division has gotten comedy-heavy and weird in The Dudley Boyz's absence. Have that be the impetus for their return.

Credit: WWE.com

Bubba Ray could tell the crowd that he and his brother are tired of seeing ridiculousness in WWE. Over the course of the next few weeks, they could send Mini-Gator, The Bunny and Los Matadores through tables.

The team could talk about wanting real teams on top of the division, warriors like them, not weirdos and goofballs. That leads them to take on Goldust and Stardust, the two princes of the bizarre.

The Dudley Boyz's title win would be exciting. It then offers a career-making win for whoever ends up knocking them off.

8. Sami Zayn, Ready When WWE Is

If you've been watching NXT, you've been watching a future star in Zayn.

His showdown with Kidd on last Thursday's NXT is just the latest example of his readiness for a promotion to the main roster. His facial expressions, body language and athletic ability combined to make for a moving match.

That's what Zayn has been doing for months now.

He has an ability to connect with the crowd at a level that few others can. Much like Bryan, he pulls the crowd in during his bouts.

You can have all the size and looks you want, but engaging the audience like that is the real cornerstone of success. 

9. Referees Most Familiar with Hell

Undertaker and Triple H lead the way in terms of Superstars who have battled inside the Hell in a Cell. Fans are less familiar with the Hell in a Cell stats for the men who don't often get their due—the referees.

A trio of refs have worked a large number of these clashes, but one man has made The Devil's Playground his home. The following are the referees with the most Hell in a Cell matches on their resume, per WWE.com:

• Mike Chioda—7
• Tim White—4
• Earl Hepner—4
• Charles Robinson—4

Chioda was there in '98 for the first tag team match inside the cell, for Triple H and Shawn Michaels' war in 2004 and for the first go-around between Cena and Orton. He's been a consistent presence in this match's history, whether fans have noticed or not.

Foley and Michaels have the unique distinction of being the only men who have both competed and refereed the Hell in a Cell match.

10. Jim Ross on Today's Hell in a Cell

When Orton and Cena lock horns again, when Ambrose and Rollins make their Hell in a Cell debuts, they will have to do so in an environment far different from the one that match was born in.

Hall of Famer Ross reminds us that those four men have a challenge ahead of them. J.R. wrote the following on his blog:

"

I still think that creativity as it relates to stunts, etc for this Sunday's HIAC will be challenging considering that there will be two Hell in a Cell matches on the show both in a PG world. Anxious to see how the creative minds come up with elements that will make the two main events special, different and perceived as 'dangerous.'

"

It's certainly possible to make the Hell in a Cell a showcase of sadism, but Rollins and company will have to do so without turning to blood or the kinds of stunts that first made the structure famous.