10 Reasons The WWE Title Is Meaningless In 2017
5. Lucky 13
It's been easy to ignore Randy Orton's growing legacy with the WWE Title since his first (World Title) win in 2004. Mainly because it's been nearly as easy to ignore Randy Orton full stop.
Outside of momentary flashes of personality and the almost literal occasional metamorphosis into a snake to put across his 'Apex Predator' persona, 'The Viper' has sleepwalked his way through over a decade of matches and promos, amassing a whopping 13 World/WWE Title reigns in the process.
It spoke to the insignificance of the current incarnation of the title that the remarkable statistic is barely ever mentioned despite Orton falling only three short of tying Ric Flair's record alongside John Cena.
Despite the malaise that has hung over Orton's career in prior reigns, his current circumstances may be the least engaging yet. Tucked away early on SmackDown Live! with Wyatt family runoffs and now unlikely new contender Jinder Mahal (more on him later), Randy's segments on the show look like token gestures to an ageing legend. Only one that happens to be WWE Champion.
To make matters worse, his first major defence will take place in a contest WWE still hasn't figured out the mechanics of, with a result they've openly telegraphed on television.