Randy Orton: Is It Time For WWE To "Defang" The Viper?

Randy Orton is always a hot topic in the wrestling community. For years, people have speculated about what he brings to the WWE, the way he should be booked, and his future within the company. It seems both fans and the internet wrestling community have a very love/hate relationship with "The Viper." Most recently though, the critics out there are making a case that the WWE should stop their push of Randy Orton once and for all.

They make some interesting claims:

1. Randy Orton just might be injury prone. He has an injury right now. No one really knows how serious it is. Some news reports claim that it will be healed within a month's time and WWE will simply use him sparingly until he is medically cleared. Other reports say WWE is just keeping the details a secret and Orton could be out for up to three months. Regardless, shoulder issues are no surprise for Randy Orton. He has had injuries in the past and quite ironically, this current one was something he did to himself. If he is capable of coming down with an injury that puts an abrupt halt to a match (as we saw at Over The Limit), why should WWE even allow him to hold a championship or be in the main event scene? If something like this could happen to him at any moment, should WWE even take the chance?

2. Everyone knows about Randy's history with behavior issues. Those who defend him say that his days as an immature member of the WWE locker room are over. But are they? It was only a few months ago that we all heard the story about a gum spitting incident that took place following a WWE event. In addition, reports are that immediately following his match with Edge at Over The Limit, he trashed the trainer's office, completely going ballistic about his injury. And this past week, former WWE diva, Maria, conducted a shoot interview in which she said that Randy Orton was the biggest headache in the locker room and has only calmed down a bit since he has been married. It makes you wonder if Orton has really turned the corner and living a life that becomes of a sports professional or if he is the same immature and volatile person he always was.

3. With WWE very high these days on pushing young talent, it looks as though some superstars might fall out of the picture. People like John Cena, Triple H, and The Undertaker need not worry. They are over beyond belief and nothing can stop their momentum. Any of those men could be out with an injury for a year and they would still sell merchandise and be fresh in the minds of the WWE Universe. Randy Orton, though, is a different story. Granted, his most recent face run was going extremely well, and being received by the fans with lots of excitement. A rather lackluster match with Edge at Over The Limit and an injury has cooled things down a bit. It might be very difficult for Randy to "get back" the audience he had only a few weeks ago. WWE audiences were always fickle but it takes someone who has a very strong backing to stay in the minds and hearts of the fans. And with new superstars beginning to emerge weekly on WWE television (Daniel Bryan, Sheamus, Drew McIntyre), a person with not as much support as John Cena or Triple H could find themselves losing their spots.

4. Many also feel that Randy Orton still lacks something in the ring. As a face, his general move set hasn't changed much from his heel days. He still walks slowly to the ring, delivers offense in a very methodical and old-school fashion, and his "hulk-up" moments toward the end of matches are pretty predictable at this point. We all know it comes down to a few clotheslines, a quick slam, and then the RKO set up. Of course, Hulk Hogan did the same type of come back for every match he had for decades but Randy Orton is not Hulk Hogan.

Those are just a few of the major issues that are going around the net concerning Randy Orton. Most feel that he has always been, is now, and will continue to be one of those guys that has the look of a wrestler but will never quite get on the level with the greats. The thing is now, some people feel as though WWE should stop trying to put him there because it just will not happen. 

Leave comments below on how you personally feel about Randy Orton and what you make of all these issues an criticisms.