10 Shocks WWE Could Pull At WrestleMania 34

9. Randy Orton Gets Bumped To The Kickoff...

Roman Lesnar
WWE.com

WWE really likes Randy Orton. WWE likes Randy Orton so much that the company has pushed and pushed the man for years and years despite his peaking as a performer years and years ago.

WWE is not wrong to like Randy Orton. Randy Orton is an understatedly great wrestler, when motivated, but the prospect of a Randy Orton match also involving Jinder Mahal is likely as exciting for Orton as it is for you or I. At last year's Battleground pay-per-view, several fans walked out on his Punjabi Prison match with Jinder to secure tickets for Royal Rumble 2018, scheduled for the same venue. They weren't touts; they were tired of seeing the Apex Predator at the apex of the title hunt once more. At least one match is fated for the Kickoff, including the potentially excellent Cedric Alexander Vs. Mustafa Ali Cruiserweight Title bout. The 205 Live brand needs the platform more than the world needs another featured Orton match.

So why not pad out the Kickoff with the one match with the least potential and intrigue surrounding it? Doesn't...doesn't that make sense?

Probability Percentage: 13%, just like the number of World Title reigns Orton has somehow amassed, and because we are that unlucky.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!