Speaking of the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Awards, Orton holds another rarely-seen achievement. In 2009 (and 2007), Randy Orton won the magazine's "Most Hated Wrestler" award. Just one year later, the tides turned and he was named "Most Popular Wrestler" in 2010. Only twice in the publication's history was a superstar able to go from most hated to most popular in back-to-back years. Only "Rowdy" Roddy Piper before him was able to jump from the most hated wrestler of the year--an award he took home in both 1984 and 1985-- before winning the most popular wrestler of the year award in 1986. On the other end of the spectrum, CM Punk won the "most popular wrestler" award in 2011, after the summer in which saw him drop his infamous "pipe bomb" and win the WWE title twice. The following year he'd turn heel, and end up the recipient of "most hated wrestler," surely an award that he and Orton both enjoyed. In addition to the aforementioned awards, Orton also won Wrestler of the Year (in 2009 and 2010), Feud of the Year (2009 vs. Triple H), and Most Improved Wrestler (2004.)
Sean Ross Sapp, 28, is a convergent media major at Morehead State University, and a news/feature writer for RantSports and WhatCulture. Before taking a managerial role for the Kraken Fight Team, Sapp was a two-time submission wrestling medalist in the region. He is also a contributor to Bill Apter's 1Wrestling.com, and an editor for Cage Passion Sports. He has also published over 300 articles for Fansided. You can contact Sean Ross Sapp for news tips and radio appearances at SeanRossSapp@gmail.com
