6 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Dec 15 - Results & Review)

3. Randy Orton’s Rumble Challenge

Roman Reigns Jimmy Uso Solo Sikoa Bloodline Randy Orton
WWE.com

It was smart to line up Roman Reigns' next match for Royal Rumble ASAP. We're just over a full month away from the banner PLE, and now Randy Orton has been confirmed as the top title challenger in January. That's a good thing, 'cause it gives creative ample time to weave a compelling case for Randy winning.

Most doubt that'll happen this close to 'Mania, but it's hardly impossible. This is Randy Orton, after all. He's a cut above other challengers like LA Knight, for example. Regardless of end result, simply having face-to-face confrontations between major stars to kick off SmackDown again is a huge plus.

WWE fans are right into the thought of this collision.

Highlights of their promo duel included Roman saying he'd retire Orton and doesn't sweat him, then Randy teasing an RKO right at the end. That scared the living sh*t out of Reigns, and instantly shattered the blasé, 'too cool for school' grandstanding he was going for.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.