Randy Orton: Wade Barrett Must Defeat Viper to Be Taken Seriously

The TLC match pitting Randy Orton against Wade Barrett is the equivalent of a Week 17 matchup in the NFL. It's like a team that has already clinched home-field advantage through the playoffs taking on a team that is fighting for their playoff life.

Barrett is certainly the latter.

The 6'7", 250-pound, potential-filled Barrett is trying to get where Randy Orton has been nine times over: the holder of either the World Heavyweight Title or the WWE championship. The Barrett push began before Survivor Series, then gained momentum when he was chosen to captain a team opposite the Viper during that pay-per-view.

Now, at TLC, Orton and Barrett will clash in a Table Match. Orton doesn't need this match, so there should be no issue with him sacrificing to put Barrett over.

If Barrett doesn't come out victorious, the chances that he becomes a major title holder in the near future are dead. Fans will view him as an also-ran in major PPVs and subsequently won't buy into him in main events.

The WWE can't afford to take this route with Barrett's future. He and Orton are nearly the same age, but the list of accomplishments are like night and day. Orton is a second generation superstar who made his debut at 20 years old, while Barrett tolled in lower levels for far longer before he won WWE NXT.

It will be a semi-entertaining match, especially if their SmackDown match from a month ago is any indication.

The Barrett push was apparent in that match, as he was victorious with a thumb in the eye/punch. My prediction for the TLC match is a Barrett win again, this time by outside interference that will send Randy Orton into a feud with another higher-level star.

It'll be a win-win for both wrestlers. Barrett's push will continue, and Orton will go into a high-profile feud.