WWE Smart to Go Slow-Burn Route for Randy Orton's Expected Babyface Turn

WWE's patience with Randy Orton's metamorphosis from villain to antihero will make the impending explosion that will come from it far more powerful.

Rather than unhook Orton's leash and let him run after Seth Rollins with his jaws snapping, the company has decided to hold him back for now. When he made his return to Raw after a four-month absence, he didn't war against Rollins as expected, but instead rejoined The Authority.

Fans know that his violent breakaway from that group is coming. It's just a matter of when.

This narrative allows suspense to build, to maximize an expected outcome. 

Any sideways look Orton gives Rollins could be the precursor to an attack. Any vulnerable moment for Mr. Money in the Bank could be the time when Orton pounces.

One could see his animosity boiling on Monday night.

Credit: WWE.com

He began the show by calling out Rollins, promising to hurt the man who put him out of action for a third of a year. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon came out instead, trying to calm him down. They offered to join him in back for a "business meeting."

At first, Orton said nothing. The crowd chanted "RKO!", hoping that he would whip out his signature move on The Authority. That would signal his transition to babyface status and kick-start his feud with Rollins.

Instead, Orton accepted. The surprise move is part of WWE's apparent plan to have The Viper coil in plain sight for now, only to strike later. 

Rollins didn't want to bring Orton back into the fold. Neither did Kane. They, like the audience, know that betrayal is certain, that The Authority is now carrying around a lit stick of dynamite.

That's going to lead to some fun moments and one mighty climax.

WWE offered a glimpse of that toward the end of Monday's Raw when Orton teamed with Rollins against Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan. The expectation was for The Apex Predator to attack Rollins at some point, leaving behind his heel ways in favor of walking his own path.

Surprisingly, Orton was on his best behavior for much of the bout.

Anticipation for his attack built but never came. Rollins tagged himself in, angering Orton in the process. Outside the ring, Orton prowled, paced and looked moments away from going on an RKO rampage.

Moments later, Rollins leaned against the turnbuckle while Orton readied himself in the corner opposite him. It looked as if he was going to kick Rollins into an early bedtime.

Fans waited for that hammer to fall, but it never did.

Orton did drill Jamie Noble, but only offered Rollins a helping hand and a friendly pat on the shoulder. Rollins received a stay of execution. The inevitable was delayed.

That moment is proof of how potent this strategy of saving Orton's turn will be. His flashes of anger forced fans to pay attention. They were signals that a storm is coming. 

Rather than just hurry along and do what every member of the audience could have predicted, WWE is wisely biding its time. The result is going to be a thrill ride en route to The Authority's next implosion—and a bigger, more memorable moment for Orton when he does bear his fangs.