WWE WrestleMania 41: 20 Things That Must Happen
14. Randy Orton Punts Solo Sikoa
WWE's hands were tied once Kevin Owens announced that he'd be missing 'Mania 41 due to serious neck concerns. Now, follow up reports say KO could even miss next year's supercard as well. Bummer. This was also a downer for Randy Orton, but Mr. RKO will be hoping that his peer makes a full recovery so they can resume their feud and put a bow on it. If not, then he'd surely settle for seeing Kev back in action generally.
The internet seemed to demand Nick Aldis as KO's replacement, but it's likely to be Solo Sikoa instead. That match hasn't been confirmed at press time, but it could be the seventh match on Sunday's card. Y'know, unless Trips fancies coming through for SmackDown's tag ranks and rewarding them for their hard work lately.
If it's Randy vs. Solo, then it's imperative that Orton gets to do the punt he had reserved for Owens anyway. That was literally the whole point of their bout. 'Mania 41 was going to see Kevin get his ultimate comeuppance. Sikoa taking a boot to the skull doesn't exactly sound quite as satisfying, but it'd get a big response from the live crowd regardless. They just want to see the punt!
Orton vs. Solo will go on earlier than Orton vs. Owens would've, guaranteed. It's nowhere near as sexy a scenario, but WWE didn't have much say in the matter due to KO's injuries. Giving Randy his WrestleMania match and a crowd-pleasing punt would suffice, and it'd set Orton up for WWE Title challenges to come afterwards too.
Just saying.