10 Things That Have Contributed To WWE SmackDown Live's Fall From Grace

3. An Unmotivated Randy Orton

How is it that Randy Orton is one of the least compelling Superstars on SmackDown's stacked roster yet he has found himself in more main events this year than anyone else?

It started with his win in the 2017 Royal Rumble match, and at that point, he was at least somewhat interesting as a member of The Wyatt Family. Of course, it wasn't long before he turned on the group and became boring babyface Randy Orton, wrestling a terrible match with Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania 33 where he captured the WWE Championship.

Their House of Horrors rematch stirred up a ton of controversy among fans, and his subsequent feud with Jinder Mahal over the WWE Championship was totally lifeless. They obviously didn't have great chemistry as opponents, but it has been Orton's lack of motivation that has really caused his recent feuds to suffer.

You can just tell that Orton is dying to work with someone who can have a strong series of matches with, and I'm not convinced Rusev is that guy. Until WWE either turns him heel or places him in a program with AJ Styles or someone of that caliber, Orton will continue to phone it in and rest on his laurels.