7 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE Raw (5 Aug - Results & Review)
5. A Perfect First Challenger
Whenever you crown a new champion, one of the biggest steps is having their initial challenger tick a few boxes. They need to be a credible threat fans instantly recognize, could in theory win the match, but most likely will come up short.
Why yes, Randy Orton does indeed check all those boxes, and he has a credible reason for jumping the line all the way back to the King of the Ring finals. There, Orton lost after a referee counted to three despite his shoulders being up. Gunther would go on to win the tournament and earn a match for the World Heavyweight Championship, which he won at SummerSlam.
Monday night, Orton cashed in on the promise of a rematch with Gunther, despite being a SmackDown superstar. He earned the right to clash with Gunther again and found his opportunity.
A 14-time world champion himself, Orton carries gravitas and significance WWE can’t buy on its own. He’s a serious threat to the title with a legit gripe to want this match and compete across brands. Orton also can credibly lose to Gunther at Bash at Berlin and not hurt his standing. He’s an ideal first challenger.