Report: WWE Roster 'Confused' By Randy Orton's World Title Win

Backstage reaction to Randy Orton's WWE Title win revealed.

Randy Orton
WWE.com

Randy Orton edged closer to John Cena and Ric Flair's record of 16 wrestling World Championships at Hell In A Cell 2020 last weekend, defeating Drew McIntyre to become WWE Champion - his 14th reign with one of the promotion's top titles.

That this came after two successive pay-per-view losses to McIntyre (at SummerSlam and Clash of Champions) raised many an eyebrow amongst the fanbase, and, indeed, the WWE locker-room.

Fightful Select reports that the WWE wrestlers they spoke to about Orton's win were largely confused by the timing of Randy's big triumph. Though considerable effort went into protecting 'The Viper' from WrestleMania 36 to SummerSlam, as he reprised his old 'Legend Killer' gimmick, McIntyre had since defeated him twice, before Orton's fortunes experienced a dramatic U-turn at HIAC.

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It is noted that Orton is a well-liked and respected figure backstage, having developed a reputation for being particularly helpful with younger talent over the past few years. Nonetheless, his booking patterns made the timing of his latest World Title win confusing.

As reported by the Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer yesterday, Orton is expected to hold Raw's top prize until at least WrestleMania 37, where it is thought he will put it on the line against a returning Edge.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.