10 Reasons Randy Orton Is "Mr. Survivor Series"

The annual November PPV is the 'Apex Predator's yard.

Randy Orton Survivor Series 2005
WWE

Some shows are synonymous with certain competitors. We all know of Shawn Michaels' moniker "Mr. WrestleMania," and The Undertaker likewise is tied with that show above others. CM Punk defined his legacy with the Money in the Bank PPV in 2011, and Hulk Hogan and Brock Lesnar have made a slew of memorable SummerSlam performances. Meanwhile, with his three victories in the titular match, it's arguable that Steve Austin is "Mr. Royal Rumble."

Survivor Series, meanwhile, has struggled for an identifiable face or theme. However, one man has managed to carve out a legacy for himself in the last decade and a half as the de facto face of the annual November PPV. That man is Randy Orton, and through traditional Survivor Series tag matches, or world title defenses, the 'Viper' has not been short on spectacular or memorable appearances at the show.

In the event you're not looking forward to this year's Survivor Series men's tag match, read this list, and then you'll ask yourself "Oh wow, I wonder what cool thing Randy Orton will do this year?"

10. Survivor Series 2003

Randy Orton Survivor Series 2005
WWE

As much as Survivor Series itself has been diminished in recent years as a PPV itself, there's still quite a lot of clout that comes with being the sole survivor of one of its elimination tag matches, and that was no less true in 2003, when Orton, in his in-ring Survivor Series debut, fulfilled precisely that.

However, to say the match was about Orton would be a lie. The then-Legend Killer was recruited by Eric Bischoff along with Chris Jericho, Christian, Mark Henry, and Scott Steiner to face Stone Cold Steve Austin's babyface team. The leader of the winning team got to retain their job as RAW general manager, and the entire video package focused on those stakes. So yes, all of you complaining about this year's Survivor Series being yet another McMahon family squabble where the wrestlers play second fiddle: you have a pretty fair point.

Still, even as Orton was less experienced and thus more limited in his in-ring contributions, it spoke highly of what the company saw with his potential. The match ends with Orton getting the sneaky win over a bloodied Shawn Michaels after interference from Batista, and this would start an unprecedented three year streak.

Also: he RKO'd Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban at the event, so that's pretty cool.

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