WWE WrestleMania 27: 10 Reasons Randy Orton Is the New 'Stone Cold'

There are only a few men who have ever graced ranks of the Superstars in World Wrestling Entertainment who have been able to excel at being an Evil-Babyface or a Tweener.

The man that most people would think of first and foremost would be "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.  He revolutionized an era in the WWE devoutly worshiped as the "Attitude Era."

His attitude, his passion, and most of all his personality won the hearts of the fans and even when he did the most despicable of things he was cheered as an idol.

There is another WWE Superstar who can be mentioned in the same breath as "Stone Cold" and that would be "The Viper" Randy Orton. 

Throughout Orton's storied career we have seen many times where Orton has done terrible things to his opponents and bystanders at ring side.  Yet he received acclamations from the fans.

There are 10 reasons that I believe Randy Orton has in fact become the NEW "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.

Reason 10:  Attitude

If Austin 3:16 says "I just whooped your ass", then Orton 3:16 would say "I just shortened your career".  Along the lines of what Austin has done to his opponents before and after matches, Orton has taken it a step further.

Orton not only strikes fear into his opponents, he also is not afraid to let them know what he thinks about them.  He calculatingly dissects his opponents mentally then he does it physically.  Orton is not afraid to do what it takes to get the job done.

Reason 9:  Adaptation

Throughout all of the years that Steve Austin wrestled he continued to adapt to the surrounding scenarios that he faced.  He removed himself from under Ted Dibiase Sr.  He formulated a new era with Austin 3:16.  Austin even made himself the most polarizing force in the WWE.

Randy Orton has also adapted to his surrounding scenarios.  Orton although he was "kicked out of" Evolution, saw Triple H for what he was and left him far behind.  He also made a name for himself by becoming "The Legend Killer."

Then to follow that up he became "The Viper".  They both went from obscurity to the grandest stage of them all within a very short time span.  All the while winning over the fans no matter what they did.

Reason 8:  Accolades

Austin is a six-time WWE Champion.  He has won the Royal Rumble an unprecedented three times and is a King of the RIng. 

Orton, on the other hand, is a seven-time World Champion, has only won one Royal Rumble, but was the youngest WWE Champion in history at the time, if not still the youngest to win the belt at 24. 

Both men have impressive, almost mirrored careers, and Orton is not even done yet.  If by accolades alone Randy Orton is the same if not better than Steve Austin.  They both had a desire for gold and have each held over nine titles in their careers.

Reason 7:  Vs. John Cena

Austin had Hart, Austin had Michaels, Austin had The Rock.  Orton had John Cena. 

Sure there was Triple H, but Cena is the Rivalry that made Orton who he is today.  And for Austin, The Rock would be the equivalent.  Two already dominant superstars fighting over the greatest prize in the whole wide world.

Even as a heel, Austin got more cheers than The Rock.  The same goes for Orton whenever he fought against Cena.  It was a battle of the titans when it was Austin vs. The Rock and in the same spirit Orton vs. Cena became the modern-age version of that rivalry. 

Just another reason for Orton being the NEW polarizing force of WWE.

Reason 6:  The Legend Killer

Randy, like, Austin has never been afraid to go after what he wanted and not care about how he got there. 

Austin made his name by taking out people who got in his way of greatness.  He used Jake "The Snake" Roberts to get to the next stage of his career and dismantled Bret Hart to gain his true claim to fame.

Orton took out every Legend he could to make a name for himself.  He showed no remorse.  He showed no respect. 

He showed that even though he was despicable, the fans still couldn't get enough, kind of like that "Stone Cold" guy who beat the holy hell out of Bret Hart on a stretcher and yet was still cheered.

Reason 5:  IEP

If ever there was a Superstar other than Eugene who needed a Social Worker, it would be Randy Orton.  He is a loose Cannon.  He has no remorse for what he does and continues to do the same things over and over again without learning. 

Steve Austin was the same exact way.  Austin did not care about people's property, i.e. The Rock's Car.  He attacked Mr. McMahon in the hospital, for goodness sake.

Randy Orton is the NEW "Stone Cold" because Randy Orton is willing to lose himself to gain the whole world.  He is willing to take on anyone and in the process unleash Hell on anyone in his path. 

Reason 4:  Legacy
The Legacy of Orton is that Orton knows when it's time to change.  He knows when it's time to join forces to create a dominant force in WWE.

He was a member or Evolution, Rated-RKO, and even led his own group The Legacy.  In all of these endeavors he joined or created them with one purpose in mind: to take over  WWE and prove his dominance.

He followed in the footsteps of Austin before him, who sided with Mr. McMahon and became the face of the Corporation.  Austin even led an Invasion against WWE, but the most renown of all factions Austin was in must be The Two-Man Power Trip. 

Here Austin joined forces with an enemy, Triple H, to create one of the most dominant Tag Teams to ever hit the WWE.

Orton mirrors Austin with his ideals of factions.  When it was time for the faction to die, Orton killed it, just like Austin killed the Corporation and The Power Trip.

Reason 3:  Boss Issues

Randy Orton has assaulted Shane McMahon as well as Stephanie McMahon.  He has even punted Mr. McMahon right in the skull, taking him out of action indefinitely. 

Like Austin in the past had his issues with McMahon, Orton too was not afraid to take on his boss with the full force of his punishment.

In the face of being fired for his actions against Stephanie during his feud with Triple H, Orton struck like "The Rattlesnake" before him and laid out the owner of WWE to save his own skin, much to the shock and awe as well as the enjoyment of the WWE Fans.

Reason 2:  "The Viper"

Steve Austin was "The Rattlesnake".  He could strike at any moment and when he was pissed off no one was safe. 

Well, Randy Orton is a more calculating version of "The Rattlesnake."  Michael Cole realized this and coined the term "The Viper."

Orton has proven himself to be worthy of the moniker.  He even begins to act like a snake when he is preparing to strike. 

This is an evolution of what Austin did.  Austin would lie in wait for the right opportunity.  Orton stalks his prey. 

Reason 1:  RKO

By far the most feared finisher in WWE right now, just like the Stunner was feared in its day.  Orton's RKO can come at any time from anywhere. 

Do not just take my word for it.  Ask Mason Ryan, Evan Bourne, David Otunga, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Edge, John Cena, and any other Superstar that has stepped foot in the ring with Orton.

Like the Stunner, it is always ready to strike and it will strike anyone at anytime.  Heel or Face or Announcer or Owner or just a poor bystander, the RKO knows no sides and it the No. 1 reason Randy Orton is the NEW "Stone Cold."