Analyzing Randy Orton's Place in Roman Reigns' WWE

Randy Orton is a 12-time WWE and World champion. He has been a featured performer in Vince McMahon's company for nearly 13 years and in all that time, he has been the go-to guy in many different instances.

But as he prepares to eventually return from injury, the fact is that The Apex Predator is coming back to a much different atmosphere than the one he left. WWE no longer belongs just to John Cena; Roman Reigns seems to be on his way as potentially the next top guy. So the question is where does Orton fit into Reigns' WWE?

Of all the Superstars that have shined in recent years, Orton is the one that many fans have considered to be perhaps the most dependable. That distinction typically lies with Cena, as WWE's top star is unchanging and unwavering as a character. But for many fans, it's Orton that has remained the most diligent in terms of ring work and intensity as a character.

No matter what side he was on or who he was facing, Orton could always be counted on to deliver.

And for much of his tenure in WWE, Orton has basically played second fiddle to Cena. This has not been a negative for him of course, as he has flourished and has become one of best hands that WWE has seen in quite some time.  

credit: wwe.com

To consistently work the main event scene in WWE requires an extreme amount of dedication and focus on the craft. Not every Superstar has what it takes to step into that environment and hit a home run, as there must be a championship caliber attitude to go along with the performance itself.

There can be no doubting that Orton has excelled in that area. He has not been in Cena's shadow as much as he has been shining in his own light.  

But Cena's shadow is likely not the primary concern for Orton as he works to get back to form in WWE. The truth is that Reigns has climbed the ladder in a very short amount of time and now the former Shield strongman could very well be on his way to becoming the next WWE world heavyweight champion at WrestleMania 31.

This is obviously a good thing in many ways for WWE.

Despite what criticisms have been leveled at Reigns over the past year, there can be no denying that new faces are needed on WWE's top tier. Cena can only do so much on his own and considering that he is no longer surrounded by high-profile Superstars, it's evident that the company needs to begin moving ahead.

credit: wwe.com

CM Punk is long gone, Chris Jericho is on a part-time basis and even legends like Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock are down to sporadic appearances. And no matter how hard Cena works to help keep WWE entertaining, he simply cannot be a one-man band any longer.

That is why WWE has been pursuing its younger talent, guys that have never been to that top level but who are deserving of a shot. Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Bray Wyatt are just three examples of this and there are many more in line behind them. Indeed, WWE's developmental territory NXT is rife with new faces that are anxious to make it to the company's main roster.

WWE is preparing for the future and Reigns is definitely part of that future.

But while the future is now, there can be no ignoring the stars that are still there and still more than capable of making an impact. Orton is one of those stars and now WWE must find a way to integrate him into the new day that it is embarking upon.

Orton is a veteran of course and as such, he has a wealth of knowledge at his disposal. He can be an invaluable asset to WWE behind the scenes as he could be there to help guide the next generation along both mentally and physically.

Orton has seen his share of wars in the ring and his experience would definitely help provide a way for other guys to reach the top as well.

There could be perhaps no better way to do that than by using Orton to elevate a younger Superstar. Rollins is one name that comes up, as he and Orton have a history together and considering Rollins is Mister Money in the Bank, it's clear that WWE likely has some big plans for him in the near future.

Why not add a successful rivalry against Orton as a means to making that future become a reality?

But no matter how many different roles Orton could fill behind the scenes or as a veteran leader in the ring, the fact is that WWE may not be finished with him in terms of the main event scene. Orton has always maintained a great physique and has been one of the most solid performers in the ring. He has a fan following and he has showed no signs of slowing down in recent years.

Truth be told, Orton is still an asset in the squared circle. He still has a presence and he still has the ability to draw heat as a heel. And as a babyface, Orton could undoubtedly get the crowd behind him the moment he sets foot back in a WWE ring. There is no reason to believe that The Viper could not pick up where he left off when he does indeed come back to active competition.

But at the end of the day, it does appear that WWE will be undergoing a change of leadership in the ring.

The company's Ruthless Aggression era of Brock Lesnar went to John Cena's PG Era and that era will probably be inherited by Reigns, who will surely do his best to carry the load for WWE. And while that potential passing of the torch may not happen right away, it does seem that things are moving in that direction.

And if that is the case, then Orton could be used as a top heel to try and stop that from happening. After all, Orton's character would likely not be able to sit by and watch as someone other than himself takes the coveted top spot.

Orton may feel he's being overlooked and if that happens, Reigns could find himself with a whole new world of problems.  

However there can be no mistake about it; if WWE commits to Reigns as the literal future of the company, then no one will be featured above him when that transition takes place. So, Orton is returning to a WWE that is in the early process of moving ahead and the only issue now is which role will he be given when he does come back?

The fact is that Orton has a history of shining when he's needed. And with any luck, he will do exactly that as Reigns continues his journey to the upper echelon of WWE.