WWE Royal Rumble 2017: 10 Big Mistakes They Can't Afford To Make

7. Randy Orton Failing To Pull The Trigger

Braun Strowman
WWE.com

Randy Orton’s betrayal of the Wyatt Family has been on the cards since the day he joined them. The Viper’s change of heart amidst his feud with Bray was too sudden to be convincing, and while Wyatt himself seems certain of Randy’s loyalty, Luke Harper has always smelled a rat. The story hasn’t been going on for particularly long, but WWE are already engineering Orton’s departure from the group through miscommunication and differences of opinion.

Orton and Harper will attempt to “settle their differences” in the ring on this week’s SmackDown, but it’s too late. The seeds have already been sown, and it’s only a matter of time before Randy pulls the trigger and brings the Family down from within. With all three men set to appear in the Royal Rumble, WWE have the opportunity to pull this off on one of the biggest stages possible, and the timing couldn’t be better.

The crowd are practically begging Orton to turn on the Wyatt Family at this point. Fans are dying to cheer for The Viper, and despite relatively compact time period, his eventual betrayal is going to make him a huge babyface again. The story has never been hotter, so why wait and waste a potentially massive moment on a random episode of SmackDown?

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

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.