WWE SummerSlam Results: Is This the End of the Randy Orton/Christian Rivalry?

Perhaps one of the most intense matches on the pay-per-view card was when Christian once again lost his World Heavyweight Championship to his arch rival Randy Orton.

In a match that employed the use of garbage cans, steel chairs and TV monitors, Orton was able to nail Christian with a vicious RKO onto the steel ring steps and earn the victory.

This marks the second time during their long rivalry where Orton was able to take away the title from Christian's grasp and in quite epic fashion.

This rivalry has been arguably the most captivating storyline ever to appear on "Smackdown", but this long running feud may be over.

Orton defeated Christian in convincing fashion to say the least. Now, at the bottom of the match recap article on WWE.com it clearly states: "Who will be the next to challenge WWE's Apex Predator?"

A relatively small hint, but a hint nonetheless.

Though Christian did win the title back from Orton at this year's "Money In the Bank" pay-per-view, it was by disqualification—the least convincing of victories. The fact that "Captain Charisma" won the title in such a controversial way added heat to the rivalry, but the fact that he then lost to Orton again last Sunday could conceivably be the end of this rivalry.

Christian will probably be out of the title picture for a bit, allowing someone like Mark Henry or Daniel Bryan to be brought into the World Heavyweight title picture. This wouldn't be bad for "Smackdown" either, because it could potentially bring another superstar into the upper echelon of top talent that right now consists mainly of just Orton and Christian.

It would have been nice to see Christian win the deciding battle in this feud and continue his title reign against another challenger. However, Orton could have an interesting feud with either Bryan, Henry or even Sheamus.

As WWE's recap article says, the only real way to find out who gets the next shot at Randy Orton's World Heavyweight Championship is to tune in this Friday night.