Randy Orton's Face Turn Lost Momentum with Brief Authority Return

Remember when people actually missed Randy Orton?

"

WHERE'S RANDY ORTON! #RoyalRumble

— Graham Matthews (@WrestleRant) January 26, 2015"

"

Where's @TheRock & @RandyOrton? I'm dying here #RoyalRumble

— rosamarlin (@rosamarlin) January 26, 2015"

"

Where's Randy Orton in all of this? This would be the perfect time for him to appear.

— Dewey Foley (@DeweyHaveTo) February 3, 2015"

"

Where's @RandyOrton? #AskTheGame @TripleH

— Miranda Cook (@mandy15rko) February 11, 2015"

As his absence became more and more conspicuous, Orton was a hot commodity. After being overbooked since returning to WWE, however, he's the same lukewarm character he was when he left. The only difference is a change in alliance.

Orton's disappearance from television after being jumped by The Authority was a cause for concern among fans. His hiatus was ideal for a cold heel running in place. People clamored to see Orton as an antihero. The storyline booked itself. After being ousted by the new face of the WWE, the old face was to resurface and raise hell faster than you could say "Austin 3:16."

Event	Opponent	Result
WrestleMania XXVI	Cody Rhodes; Ted DiBiase	Win
WrestleMania XXVII	CM Punk	Win
WrestleMania XXVIII	Kane	Loss
WrestleMania XXIX	The Shield	Loss
WrestleMania XXX	Daniel Bryan; Batista	Loss

The longer The Viper lay dormant, the more effective he'd be whenever he struck. At Fastlane, the resurgent antihero returned, and it was glorious.

One night later, the honeymoon ended.

In professional wrestling, there's good predictability and bad predictability. Good predictability is apparent when a storyline is easy to follow and makes sense. Good predictability comes with anticipation for the moment when fans can embrace an inevitable payoff. When Damien Mizdow finally punches The Miz, that will be a prime example.

At Fastlane, fans chanted "RKO" moments before Orton returned. Again, good predictability.

But after deciding to rejoin The Authority the next night, fans were patronized with weeks of forced tension between Orton and Rollins. With Orton experiencing the most momentum since he turned babyface in 2010, there was no need to backtrack, but backtrack he did. Everybody knew what was coming except the Rollins character. Rollins only looked foolish for not knowing better.

That's just bad predictability.

Orton's head of steam was stalled by associating himself with The Authority. Not only was he a temporary heel, but he lost credibility by agreeing to align himself with a faction that put him in the hospital just months earlier.

Even if it was an obvious ruse by Orton, it goes against his character. Orton is a hothead. His temper is what what got him kicked out of The Authority. His moniker as The Viper revolves around his ability to strike from anywhere. He's not known for having the serpentine patience that precedes the strike. An otherwise terrible crowd in Memphis went nuts when he flew off the hinges at Fastlane. Why recoil a snake?

Orton wasn't being true to his character by concocting an unnecessary and elaborate plan, and his momentum will suffer because of it.

it didn't help that his interminable attack on Rollins to end Raw made him seem like a heel. What's the point of seeking revenge against Rollins at WrestleMania if he did so three weeks early?

This was supposed to be Orton's much-needed reset. With CM Punk gone and Daniel Bryan demoted, Orton was the antihero WWE needed and deserved.

But after a belabored return, Orton is in danger of generating the same apathy that turned him heel in the first place.

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