WWE SummerSlam 2011: A Look at the Christian-Randy Orton World Title Match

So, Christian wants to sue WWE because he claims that Randy Orton has serious anger management issues. In his mind, if he is forced to face Orton at SummerSlam; he is being put in harm’s way.

If that‘s true, then every guy who stepped into the ring against Stone Cold Steve Austin has a case.

Christian’s character as a heel has never looked better. He is playing the role of the paranoid villain who is doing everything he can to hang on to his power and position, and he is doing it with style. He has finally found his niche as World Champion and is enjoying the run that his fans over the years have always dreamed of.

But will it all end once again at SummerSlam?

Randy Orton is the John Cena of Smackdown. He just can’t lose. It really does not matter that he currently is not the World Champion, the fact is that he is the star of the show. He is the guy that the company has banked on to bring ratings for the program and put butts in the seats. As long as Randy Orton is on Smackdown, he will be the main focus.

So, is it inevitable that he will win on Sunday night?

The rivalry between these two is well documented, and fans understand that while perhaps Christian may not be the biggest name that could have been paired with Orton, he is a veteran who deserves at least one run at the top.

Christian has paid his dues, always been the good WWE employee and was a huge part of the wildly popular tag team wars of the late 90s. He has evolved over the years as a very good singles wrestler and can hold his own against anyone in the ring.

Christian, while tagging with Edge, was unfortunately in the Matt Hardy slot, due to Edge’s eventual success. But Christian has excelled, where as Hardy has just faded away.

The hard truth, however, is that most fans do not see Christian as being a long-term champion. In some ways, his place as the veteran who is being given his due may end up being a negative for him, as he ultimately has become a transitional champion.

In other words, he’s keeping the belt warm until they can put it back on Orton.

This feud, at least on its face, appears that it may have gone on for too long. Fans may be growing tired of Orton and Christian battling it out for the World Title, as this is the fourth consecutive pay-per-view they have faced each other.

But the truth is that every time these two are in the ring, they have a great match. The World Title has a legitimate level of respect due to their caliber of matches. Pro wrestling, despite what the WWE would have the fans believe, still exists, and this championship belt is proof of just that.

Of course, Christian took the cheap way out on Smackdown by just leaving the ring during his match against Sheamus. Doesn’t that lower the prestige of the championship?

That single act alone may give fans who don’t particularly care for Christian all the ammunition they need to prove that he should not be the champion. Some may argue that the match should not have been booked that way because Christian ends up looking like a coward who’s hanging onto the strap by the skin of his teeth. And this happened 48 hours before SummerSlam, no less.

But think about it. Christian is a heel. All heels, despite how tough or mean they are portrayed, are cowards at their core. They will always back down from a fight because in their twisted view of reality, it’s not fear, it’s strategy. Why risk getting hurt two days before a huge main event when your livelihood is on the line? Besides, the guy that they walk out on doesn’t deserve to be in the ring with them in the first place. He may win by count-out, but he’s not leaving with the belt. That’s heel psychology 101.

Speaking of Sheamus, how long will it be until he gets his own run with the World Championship? A lot of that depends on what happens with this match on Sunday. Sheamus is turning face, and it does not appear as though Orton will be changing sides anytime soon. So, does that mean that Christian retains on Sunday?

No matter what may happen, I am looking forward to this match. Both men have brought everything they have to this feud and they have not disappointed. I do not expect SummerSlam to be any different.