Randy Orton Is Destined to Face Brock Lesnar

Randy Orton may be on his way to a 13th run as world champion when he faces off against Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns at WWE Payback on Sunday, May 17. But the belt he hopes to win belonged to Brock Lesnar up until WrestleMania 31 and it's the same belt The Next Big Thing will likely target upon his return.

That means Orton could have a bull's eye on his back when the time comes. The Apex Predator is destined to face The Beast Incarnate.

It's a match-up made in booking heaven. On one side is Orton, WWE's premier main event Superstar that has been trusted with top championship gold on 12 occasions during his 15-year career. He's faced some of the industry's hardest hitters, from Ric Flair to The Undertaker to Hulk Hogan to Triple H.

He's been successful as both heel and babyface, he's worked main event matches in pay-per-views and events all over the world and he is one of the best hands of WWE's modern era. He still looks good in the ring and he can still go at a very high level.

He's done it all in WWE and at this point, there doesn't seem to be very much left to prove.

credit: wwe.com

On the other side is Lesnar, WWE's powerhouse freak of nature that has steamrolled through opponents from the moment he first debuted on the main roster.  He's accomplished more in his total of five years in WWE than most men have in three times that amount.

His latest incarnation as the unstoppable MMA hybrid that is virtually unbeatable has made him more than just an elite performer. Lesnar is considered one of the toughest, most athletic and most talented big men that's ever stepped into a WWE ring and he has just as much fire now as he did back in 2002.

Like Orton, Lesnar has done it all in WWE. But there is still something left to prove.

The reason for that lies with Orton himself because he's the one guy Lesnar hasn't beaten yet. He's bulldozed his way through Triple H, John Cena, CM Punk, The Undertaker and The Big Show during his latest run. He took Roman Reigns to the limit and toyed with him in the ring at WrestleMania 31.

credit: wwe.com

Anyone on WWE's top tier or working as a strong main event presence right now has been beaten by Lesnar. Everyone that is, except for Orton.

Orton is the last star to crush, the last one to face Lesnar's wrath. He has managed to avoid The Beast for this long and no one has really even noticed. But it could be everyone will notice sooner rather than later.

The last time Lesnar was in WWE, he was furious over Rollins' surprise cash-in for the title at Mania. He wanted revenge and he wanted it in the worst way.  That means when Lesnar returns to the company, he will go after Rollins with a vengeance.

Anyone within a five mile radius of Rollins will likely be devastated by the crossfire. The man holding the WWE World Heavyweight Championship will surely be the second victim on Lesnar's hit list. 

If Orton fits either or both of these descriptions, then he will likely find himself face-to-face with The Beast Incarnate. It's a potential feud that would be fresh and new, one that would keep fans tuned in every time out and one that could make some money for both sides.

Lesnar is an attraction; there is no doubt about that. But unless the new plan for him consists of booking him exclusively against younger stars he can help build, then feuding with veterans will surely happen as always. There is no veteran more deserving of a high-profile rivalry with Lesnar than Orton.

Orton will provide a much different match than what Lesnar is accustomed to. Lesnar is used to facing opponents that attempt to match him move for move from the opening bell. Most of the time, that game plan ends badly for the other guy who just gets completely overwhelmed by Lesnar's strength and ferocity.

But Orton is slower and more methodical in his routine and if he were to get the upper hand in the ring against Lesnar, he would likely do everything he could to keep it. He would allow the fight to come to him and keep Lesnar guessing what his next move would be.

Lesnar would finally have an opponent that would attempt to outthink him in the ring, giving fans more of an actual match than a mauling.

Orton is meant to face Lesnar because honestly there's no good reason to keep them apart. It's a match that should happen and one that will serve the company's overall storyline well. The Beast will be on a rampage when he comes back and it will be very difficult for anyone, including Orton, to get out of his path fast enough.