Survivor Series 2021 marked an impressive record for one of the longest-tenured WWE wrestlers. With his tag team match against The Uso’s, Randy Orton will have passed Kane for the most PPV matches in WWE history.
It is an incredible accomplishment in the career of The Viper. In a world where nothing is guaranteed Orton’s longevity is nothing short of spectacular. To keep yourself relevant, as a performer, for 20 years is a testament to the talent that The Viper possesses.
The secret behind the lasting power of the Apex Predator has been his ability to turn it up come pay-per-view time. When the bright lights hit Orton has had some of the best matches in WWE history with any competitor you can think of. Below we will take a look at the 10 Greatest PPV matches from the career of Randy Orton.
Randy Orton Vs. Chris Benoit
(World Heavyweight Championship Match, Summerslam 2004)
Backstories of one of the individuals in this match aside, this was a very important step in the career of Randy Orton. The Summer of 2004 was a milestone for Orton. As a member of Evolution, he was one of the best mid-card heels in the company. That is why it was a bit surprising when Orton emerged victorious in a number one contender’s battle royal.
Reservations aside Orton put on one hell of a match for the Toronto crowd. He showed the world that he was able to hang in the main event. He was able to match Benoit’s technical skills while showcasing an ever-improving move set.
In a shocking finish, Orton was able to get one over and win the World Heavyweight Championship. It was an unexpected outcome and marked the first world title that Orton won with the company. He also set the record for the youngest wrestler to win the world title, a record that still stands today… A shame we can’t talk about it anymore.
Randy Orton Vs. Seth Rollins (Wrestlemania 31)
After being on the shelf for several months, at the hands of Rollins, Orton made his return to WWE. He immediately set his sights on the Architect and this set up a grudge match between the two at WrestleMania 31. It was a great match between the two men.
Both were in incredible shape and this allowed them to keep the pace up. The match resembled a sprint and it was a great way to help this match stand apart from others on the card. Even though this is a fantastic contest it will be forever known for the finish that blew the world away. Going for a curb stomp, Seth Rollins was launched off the back of Randy Orton and into an earth-shattering RKO. It was a fantastic visual and one that rivals Rollins’ main event triumph as the image of Wrestlemania 31.
Randy Orton Vs. Edge
(Intercontinental Championship Match, Vengeance 2004)
Before both men broke through to the main event, they were engaged in a fantastic mid-card feud. After returning from injury Edge set his sights on knocking Evolution off their pedestal. He soon set his sights on taking the Intercontinental Championship of Orton.
Randy Orton had held a monopoly over the Intercontinental division for close to eight months and Edge needed to knock Randy off the mountain. The action between the two men proved that the future was bright for WWE. Both had been in the company for a time but they still showed maturity beyond their years. The action was crisp and their ability to have prolonged chain wrestling was awesome.
Edge managed to get the win in the end but the result was not as important as the journey. The chemistry between the two men was crystal clear to the people watching around the world. This match proved that the future was bright for WWE.
Randy Orton Vs. Edge
(Backlash 2020)
Upon returning from a prolonged absence, Edge was put against his long-time rival. It was a natural story to tell and one that led to a fantastic match at Backlash. Being billed as “The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever”, was a bit of an overshot. This was classic WWE false advertising and that is a shame because it took away from how good this match was.
For 44 minutes, Edge and Orton tore the house down. They used every move in their arsenal while borrowing signature moves from WWE legends. It was a great visual to see these moves used by Orton and Edge and added a great sense of nostalgia to the match. Getting the win was a huge feather in the cap of Randy Orton and one that proved he is one of the best of all time.
Randy Orton Vs. The Undertaker
(Wrestlemania 21)
Adopting the “Legend Killer” moniker was a gamechanger for Randy Orton. It brought an edge to his character and the vicious nature of his attacks made him a must-see talent.
After several legends fell to Orton he set his sights on putting down one of the biggest of all time, The Undertaker. Matching up at Wrestlemania was a huge opportunity for Orton and one that could cement his legacy.
Orton was still new, at the time, but he was able to go toe-to-toe with The Deadman on the grandest stage of them all. It was very impressive to see the young buck create a captivating match. Sure, The Undertaker called the shots but the match would have been lessened if Orton was not up to the task.
Undertaker came away with the win but Orton was the true star of the night. The Legend Killer was a made man in WWE after his fantastic match against The Undertaker.
Randy Orton vs Edge vs Shawn Michaels vs John Cena
(Fatal 4-Way Match for the WWE Championship, Backlash 2007)
Following a better-than-average Wrestlemania 23, the four biggest stars on Raw were put into a four-way match at Backlash for the WWE Championship.
This could potentially go down as the best fatal four-way in WWE history. The chemistry between the four men was fantastic. They had such a great dynamic in the ring that the action started hot and never let up.
How each man paired off with another during the match was an interesting way to present the championship encounter. It showed us some pairings that we didn’t think we would see and added another layer to the match.
Cena got the win, with some luck, but that shouldn’t take away from the effort of the other three men. They put together one of, if not the, best fatal four-way in the companies history.
Randy Orton vs Cactus Jack
(Hardcore Match for the Intercontinental Championship, Backlash 2004)
When Orton joined forces with Evolution everyone in the world knew that he was destined for greatness. To get Orton over the top he was put in a program opposite the star-maker, Mick Foley.
The feud between the two became intensely personal with both men exchanging vicious barbs as the weeks went on. It eventually led to a hardcore showdown at Backlash.
Cactus was known for his hardcore expertise but what shocked many in the match was the brutality that Orton adopted. He matched the violent nature of Cactus and brought the fight to him throughout. It was a side of Orton that we had not seen before and it helped to bring an edge to his character not previously seen.
Orton used a barbaric RKO on a barbed wire bat to put Cactus away and retain the championship. It was a brutal encounter that showed the world what Orton was capable of. It brought a side of his character to light that helped to define him as a performer.
Randy Orton vs John Cena
(Iron Man Match for the WWE Championship, Bragging Rights 2009)
The rivalry between Orton and Cena is one of the biggest of Orton’s career. The two men have engaged in battle all over the world, and in every match type imaginable. The best of these contests has to be their Iron Man Match at Bragging Rights.
With the 60 minutes run time, Iron Man matches can be a hard sell to WWE fans. There is naturally going to be downtime during the match and this can make it drag on. This was not a problem that Cena and Orton ran into.
With the history between Cena and Orton, they were able to tell a great story throughout the match. The tension was perfect and it helped to bridge the gap between spots. It was a story that no one could have told with the expertise that Orton and Cena did on that night.
Randy Orton vs Triple H
(Last Man Standing Match for the WWE Championship, No Mercy 2007)
After being awarded the WWE Championship by Vince McMahon, Orton was goaded into a title match against long-time rival, HHH. The Game squeaked out the win and the WWE Title.
However, the celebration would be short-lived as Triple H was set to defend the title in the main event against Orton, in a Last Man Standing Match. The main event between the two men was a great match. With Triple H wrestling twice already the match did start slow. As the minutes went by, though, the action ramped up and we saw the world-class wrestlers these men are. Orton and HHH tore into each other and delivered some brutal weapon shots.
This was was a bit of a coming-out party for Randy Orton. He had been in the main event picture for a few years at this point but had not been given a chance with the big strap. His work with the championship, after this win, proved his championship pedigree to the wrestling world.
Randy Orton vs Christian
(No Holds Barred Match for the World Heavyweight Championship, Summerslam 2011)
A feel-good moment of 2011 was when Christian finally hit the top of the mountain, winning the world title. Alas, two days later Randy Orton toppled Christian for the championship.
It was not an ideal result but it did produce a damn good program between the two, culminating in a No Holds Barred match at Summerslam. This was one of the better hardcore matches in WWE. There was creativity with the weapon spots that was unexpected. It was a breath of fresh air to see both men show us something different.
Orton grabbed the win in a fairly easy finish. It was a shame that it came at the expense of Christian but this was one of the rare Orton championships as a babyface. A natural heel, Orton was never given much of a chance to run with the belt as a face. This match showed was he was capable of and how he should have been booked going forward.