14 Ups & 2 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Mar 19)

6. Defanging The Viper

Randy Orton Kofi Kingston
WWE.com

Though Randy Orton's portion of the gauntlet took on a similar layout to Samoa Joe's, it still worked. The vicious, unforgiving heel brutalised Kofi Kingston in what was supposed to be the bout's final fall. Though he found himself sent into the steps early, Randy fought back, picking the would-be WWE Championship challenger to pieces inside the ring and out, coming within an inch of hitting a match-ending RKO as things unfolded.

Kofi countered that death-blow and hit Trouble In Paradise to a thunderous pop. That's when Randy took a powder, rolling out of the ring to avoid the pinfall, before the action went to a commercial. We returned to Orton controlling ahead of late dramatic surge. Kofi kicked out of a countered high cross, survived the draping DDT, then squirmed his way out of the RKO, putting Kingston's shoulders to the mat for the 1-2-3, and what looked to be a cathartic victory.

Vince McMahon's shenanigans followed. The final fall was a great way to set up to everything after, and 'The Viper' was the perfect "Final Boss" character for this position.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.