The closing moments of SummerSlam in August 2013 saw Randy Orton cash-in his Money in the Bank briefcase and defeat Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship just moments after a shocking Pedigree from Triple H. Having learned nothing from past experiences, Orton aligned himself with The Game and thus The Authority was formed. What should have been Orton's crowning achievement, the renewal of a heel persona that had helped him rise to stardom in the first place, was instead an excuse for The Viper to play lackey to Triple H for the second time in his career. He was verbally talked down to, stripped of his dignity and eventually overshadowed by Seth Rollins when he betrayed the Shield and was anointed the new "chosen one." Stuck in the background as a member of The Authority, devoid of any real character development or the ability to talk for himself, Orton watched as Kane and Rollins became the focal point of storylines. He was turned babyface in early 2015, his star power diminished by the disastrous run he had embarked on just over a year earlier.
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.
