Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt: What's Next for Feud After WWE Backlash 2016?

Randy Orton's run of misfortune continued Sunday at WWE Backlash, as Bray Wyatt defeated The Viper in just 10 seconds.

Orton was unable to participate in the match because of a leg injury, and after a 10-second count-out, Wyatt was deemed the winner, as WWE shared:

Before Backlash, Wyatt attacked Orton in a hallway, via WWE:

Just before the match took place, WWE announced Wyatt would face Kane instead of Orton due to injury. But The Viper would get his revenge for the earlier assault. In the middle of the hard-hitting match, Orton limped to the ring and delivered an RKO to Wyatt, via WWE: 

The Big Red Monster used it to his advantage, hitting Wyatt with a chokeslam before earning the victory. While Wyatt technically won his match against Orton, the feud looks to be continuing.

The Viper was involved in a vicious brawl with Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam that left him lying in a pool of his own blood. He needed staples to close the gash on his head.

Despite that, Orton appeared on the following episode of SmackDown and made it clear he was undeterred and ready for the next challenge.

That challenge manifested quickly. Wyatt interrupted him, saying he intended to finish the job The Beast Incarnate started at SummerSlam.

Ever the expert in mind games and manipulation, The Eater of Worlds did all he could to intimidate Orton prior to Backlash, courtesy of WWE Universe:

The Apex Predator played up the notion that he's just as crazy and diabolical as Wyatt in the weeks leading up to the pay-per-view, but The New Face of Fear begged to differ:

Psychology was the basis of the feud between Orton and Wyatt during the buildup toward Backlash. The foundation is in place for an entertaining and compelling storyline moving forward.

Both men entered the pay-per-view in need of a win for different reasons. Orton needed to get back on track after Lesnar had beaten him to a pulp, while Wyatt needed to regain momentum after coming back from an injury and struggling to find his place on the card.

Both left with unsatisfying results.

Wyatt managed to come out on top in the first chapter of their rivalry, but based on the SmackDown landscape and how things transpired Sunday, it seems likely that their battles will continue.

Expect their feud to continue through No Mercy in October as Orton recovers from his injury and Wyatt continues his mind games against The Viper. The timing of Orton's injury wasn't ideal for WWE, but it did set up the pair for some memorable moments in the near future. 

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