Orton may be due for yet another push

With SummerSlam just days away, speculation is the Legend Killer Randy Orton may finally get another push and perhaps a second title run, that is, if he can make it the four days between now and his pay-per-view showdown with John Cena without messing up again.

Twice before Orton has been in line for the title and twice before his conduct has left him in the bad graces of the company, making him the Pac-Man of the WWE. And yes, Pac-Man and tag partner Ron (The Truth) Killings are getting a tag title shot in the TNA at the next pay-per-view despite the fact Adam Jones is prevented by a court order from touching anyone or being touched. Makes wrestling difficult I’d think.

As for Orton, what could have been a great career so far has been replaced with just a good career given his behavioral problems.

First, he was in line to challenge Rey Mysterio for the title at Wrestlemania 22 but his conduct led to Kurt Angle being added to the match and the belt going to Mysterio. Orton was then suspended by the WWE immediately after WM22 for three months, with his absence passed off as a broken ankle caused by Kurt Angle. During the suspension, (in which he had to undergo anger management training) Orton admitted his conduct was ‘unbecoming a champion’ and he promised he would do better.

However, earlier this year, Orton got into trouble during the European Tour and was sent home. He then had to job to almost anyone in the ring, losing clean to Edge in Nashville at an event I attended. It is just now he’s back main-eventing.

So what is it about Orton? He’s a second generation star, the son of Cowboy Bob Orton, who had advantages other aspiring wrestlers can only dream about.

To say he has had a silver spoon in his mouth since he entered the business would be an understatement seeing he was placed in Evolution alongside future hall of famers Triple H and Ric Flair, even given cameo appearances and his spot in Evolution held open for him while he was out hurt early in his career. He also has the honor of being the youngest WWE champion ever, eclipsing the mark set by Brock Lesnar, winning the title at age 24 from the late Chris Benoit during SummerSlam 2004.

However, he was already familiar with trouble before he first got into a WWE ring. Following graduation from high school, Orton joined the Marines but was dishonorably discharged for being absent without leave, suggesting authority isn’t something he respects.

Sure, he’s a natural heel, his character built on disrespecting authority and those who built the business. However, when you display the same conduct out of the ring, there’s a good chance the people signing your paycheck may think twice about letting you be the flagship of the company by holding it’s highest honor, the WWE title. This is doubly true with the current environment post Benoit as there’s a microscope on professional wrestling and there are some allegations Orton was among wrestling stars who may have dabbled with human growth hormones (HGH).

With that said, it’s apparent WWE is ready to give Orton another chance as they’ve been feeding him victims week after week, trying to build his character back up enough to make him a viable threat to Cena this Sunday. Despite his out of the ring issues, he’s a good talent and is great at getting the heat of the fans. And, as I’ve mentioned before, there is likely interest in getting the title belt off Cena for a little while to freshen his character as he’s still getting booed at most arenas. Plus, if Orton holds the belt there is a ready made feud with former Evolution member Triple H who returns at SummerSlam plus return bouts with Cena and perhaps even newly turned face Umaga. And, if he holds the belt long enough there’s a ready-made feud with the Heart Break Kid Shawn Michaels who Orton, according to the storyline, put out with a concussion (in reality HBK had knee surgery).

I guess it’ll be apparent Sunday as to whether WWE is ready to give Orton another shot or if they are just treading water waiting for Triple H to get back into main event form.