10 Worst WWE Booking Decisions Of The 2000s (Year-By-Year)
6. 2004 - Randy Orton Is Booted From Evolution Too Quickly
Oh hi, Reign of Terror, long time no see.
In 2004, it was clear WWE were very much behind Randy Orton. Racking up a series of high-profile victories, Orton’s push culminated in a clean pinfall victory over world champion Chris Benoit at SummerSlam. Thus, WWE had the perfect main-event storyline for WrestleMania 21. Orton, the young upstart of Evolution, would gradually gain the resentment of leader Triple H, ultimately leading to the group disbanding and the two facing off for the belt, with Orton emerging as a triumphant babyface.
At least that’s what would have ideally happened, but they decided to rush everything. Instead of going for a slow burn storyline where Orton would steadily drift from Evolution, Triple H just flat-out kicked him from the group the night after SummerSlam. Hunter then won the belt at Unforgiven, and Randy was left to tread water as a flavorless face before eventually becoming the legend-killing heel once more.
Funny enough, WWE actually did end up doing the slow burn dissention storyline properly, only with Batista in the role of Orton. It’s hard to say how damaging this all ended up being for Randall, as he is currently one of WWE’s biggest stars, but it’s safe to say his early singles career could have been a lot more prosperous if WWE took their time with his babyface turn.