WWE Survivor Series 2010: Breaking Down The Randy Orton/Wade Barrett Rivalry

The budding rivalry between Randy Orton and Wade Barret, while progressing nicely, has been defined by circumstances and storylines that have somewhat outshined the principles themselves. 

Wade Barrett, despite being a rising star in the WWE, has not yet reached the level of a must-see attraction who can carry a pay-per-view by himself, so John Cena has been infused into this rivalry to add further intrigue to the Barrett/Orton feud. 

The Barrett/Orton feud officially started on the road to WWE Bragging Rights, where Barrett challenged Orton to a one-on-one match for the WWE Championship with newly acquired Nexus member John Cena in his corner. 

Orton and Barrett's match was met with a lukewarm response by the fans in attendance at Bragging Rights as the WWE faithful seemed to be waiting to see how a conflicted John Cena would make his presence felt as a reluctant member of the heel Nexus stable.

Following a Wade Barrett DQ victory, due to Cena intentionally getting Barrett disqualified and taking advantage of a loophole with the intention of endearing himself to his fans, the Barrett/Orton feud is expected culminate at Survivor Series in November. 

Staying true to form, the feud will once against involve the suddenly controversial Cena front and center as the special guest referee with the stipulation that Cena be fired if Barrett loses, or he will be set free should Barrett capture the WWE Championship. 

Cena's involvement in the Barrett/Orton feud is a very effective use of an established star to help get over an up and coming talent in Wade Barrett, a move the WWE should have been more adamant about years ago (pardon the Captain Hindsight impression).

Cena's ultimate decision in the Survivor Series main event will be the key factor in moving units for Survivor Series 2010.  With Cena as special guest referee, we are reminded of the circumstances surrounding Shawn Michaels' heel turn in a similar spot as guest referee of the main event between the Undertaker and Bret Hart at SummerSlam 1997.

The possibility of longtime babyface (many would argue he's been a babyface for too long) John Cena has injected life into what could otherwise be considered a paint by the numbers feud between Randy Orton and Wade Barrett. 

Word on the street is that the ultimate plan is to use this feud as a springboard for the 1,578th match up between Cena and Orton to culminate at what is shaping up to be a horrendous Wrestlemania 27 pay-per-view, but not before putting the belt on Wade Barrett first. 

If the WWE sticks to this plan, they need to be careful in protecting Wade Barrett as a WWE Champion who can be taken seriously, because his current feud with Randy Orton (and John Cena) is quickly turning him into a bona fide star. 

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