7. Randy Orton Will No Longer Be A Full-Time Worker
The year 2015 has not been particularly kind to Randy Orton. A babyface turn and feud with Seth Rollins never really generated the heat or interest that it probably should have, and an ensuing rivalry with the one-dimensional Sheamus did not help matters. He fell into oblivion, a place most certainly not designed for a star of Orton's magnitude. He did nothing of any real meaning and began appearing more and more sporadically over the course of the year. With a dislocated shoulder leading to his most recent hiatus, and a new wife at home, do not be surprised to see Orton step away from the ring in a full-time capacity and become more an attraction in the same way Undertaker and Brock Lesnar currently are. One of the hardest-working performers of the last year (he worked over 300 days in 2011, promotional and marketing appearances included), his body has certainly taken a beating. With WWE searching for young stars that can fill the void he leaves when he takes time off, it would not be out of the ordinary for The Viper to sit back and give Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Bray Wyatt, Cesaro, Tyler Breeze and more the chance to get over without the constant black cloud of an Orton return hanging over them. Orton is a future Hall of Famer and in his 13th year with the company, should not feel guilty about stepping away to focus on himself, his family and allowing the younger stars to carry the ball for the time being.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
