Every WWE Wrestler Of The Year For The 2000s

Key matches: Vs. john Cena, Shawn Michaels & Edge (Backlash), Edge (Raw Apr 30), John Cena (SummerSlam), Shawn Michaels (Cyber Sunday & Survivor Series), Triple H (Last Man Standing & No Mercy)

Perennial problem child Randy Orton looked like he finally had his head on straight in 2007 after being sent home from a European tour and suspended in mid-2006. Orton was by all accounts out of control and on the fast track to wasting his obvious potential. He may have been a former World Heavyweight Champion, but he wasn't acting like a top guy that WWE could count on.

In '07, Orton was the model of consistency, taking everything WWE gave him and endeavouring to make it the best he could. He had rewarding programmes with Edge, John Cena, Triple H and Shawn Michaels and managed to capture the WWE Title when Big Match John went down with an injury.

The first half of his year consisted of making up the numbers (to an extent) in the title picture, competing in multi-mans, such as the Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania 23 and the strong fatal four-way at Backlash. A brief detour saw him feud with WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes and his son Cody, before he once again challenged for the top prize.

After winning the belt at No Mercy (twice, actually), Orton turned his attention to the returning Shawn Michaels, who he had been credited with putting out of action in the spring. Their match at Cyber Sunday was good, but their effort at Survivor Series that much better. Defeating HBK cleanly, Orton's next task was producing with the returning Chris Jericho.

While the programme wasn't as good as expected, the matches they had together were fair. It was a disappointing end to the year, from a creative standpoint, but Orton's next dispute with Jeff Hardy would help remedy it somewhat. For his consistently strong work throughout the year, Orton was WWE's best in 2007.