The Big Picture
Randy Orton is in the twilight of his career, but The Viper is not done striking just yet. With recent reports confirming he wants to check off uncompleted matchups before hanging up his boots, the current Raw and SmackDown rosters offer plenty of fresh meat.
As WrestlingNews.co recently highlighted, Orton is actively looking to fix his omission of certain singles matches before he retires. Here are the top 10 opponents Orton needs to step into the ring with before he calls it a career.
10. Bron Breakker
The sheer velocity of Bron Breakker running the ropes against the calculating, methodical pace of Randy Orton writes itself. Breakker has been turning former champions into absolute paste since his main roster call-up.
Orton represents the ultimate veteran test for the young powerhouse. The Viper thrives against aggressive, green opponents, picking his spots and waiting for the right mistake. Breakker’s spear countered into an RKO mid-air is the exact type of visual WWE production teams drool over for promo packages.
It would not just be a passing of the torch; it would be a violent lesson in pacing for the second-generation Steiner. Breakker needs a defining veteran feud to solidify his status at the top of the card.
9. Carmelo Hayes
Carmelo Hayes operates with a level of arrogance that practically begs for a reality check from a seasoned veteran. Orton has spent over 20 years punishing cocky upstarts who think they run the show before they have paid their dues.
Hayes possesses the aerial agility and ring awareness to bump phenomenally well for Orton’s signature offense, especially the draping DDT. A prolonged program would force Hayes to slow down and work a psychological main-event style. Right now, Hayes relies too heavily on high spots and lacks the gritty transitions that make a world champion.
The contrast between Hayes' flashy offense and Orton’s brutal, grinding mat work would create a compelling dynamic. Hayes needs that marquee veteran win, and stealing one from Orton would instantly legitimize him.
8. Ilja Dragunov
If you want to test exactly how much gas Randy Orton has left in the tank, lock him inside the ropes with the Mad Dragon. Ilja Dragunov does not wrestle matches; he survives car crashes of his own making. Orton’s current physically conservative style can often feel lazy and plodding on weekly television.
That slow style would clash wildly with Dragunov’s relentless, high-impact violence. It would force The Viper into a gritty, ugly brawl rather than a standard television wrestling match. We saw glimpses of Orton’s sadistic side during his legendary feud with Mick Foley.
Dragunov is exactly the kind of opponent to drag that violence out of him again. Dragunov taking an RKO but refusing to stay down could be a career-defining main roster moment.
7. Jacob Fatu
The Bloodline saga has intersected with Randy Orton numerous times, but Jacob Fatu presents a completely different terrifying equation. Fatu moves with the speed of a cruiserweight while hitting with the impact of a super heavyweight.
Orton has historically struggled against wildcards who refuse to play by conventional in-ring rules, making this a fascinating stylistic matchup. The Samoan Werewolf would not care about Orton’s legacy or his methodical pacing; he would simply try to tear his head off at the bell.
Orton surviving a flurry of Fatu’s offense to land a desperation RKO is textbook pro wrestling drama. This is a violent spectacle just waiting to be booked.
6. Chad Gable
Chad Gable has evolved from a comedic tag team wrestler into one of the most dangerous, technically sound heels on the roster. Orton has rarely faced pure amateur wrestlers of Gable’s caliber who can ground him and dissect his limbs.
Gable targeting Orton’s notoriously fragile shoulders and back with endless suplexes and submission holds offers a perfect built-in narrative. The Viper has a habit of coasting against mid-card talent, but he would have to rely entirely on his ring IQ and sudden strikes to counter Gable’s relentless chain wrestling.
It is the classic story of the wily veteran trying to avoid the grappling clinic. A clean victory over a legend like Orton would officially cement Gable as a legitimate main event threat.
5. LA Knight
The battle of the microphones alone makes this a mandatory pay-per-view attraction. LA Knight has captured the audience's undeniable attention, but he still needs defining victories over the old guard to solidify his spot.
Orton’s slow, deliberate promo delivery is the exact opposite of Knight’s fast-talking, catchphrase-heavy bravado. In the ring, Knight’s brawling style meshes perfectly with Orton’s classic, old-school pacing.
The crowd reactions for the dueling taunts and signature spots would easily blow the roof off any arena. Knight needs to prove he can hang in a serious, deeply personal feud without relying solely on crowd participation.
4. Oba Femi
The reigning monster of NXT will eventually crash the main roster, and he will need a legendary body to step over. Oba Femi possesses raw, terrifying strength that cannot be taught, tossing grown men around like crumpled paper.
Orton has made a career out of slaying giants, using his cunning and the great equalizer to cut down bigger men. Femi blocking an RKO purely through brute strength would be a shocking visual that instantly establishes his dominance.
It is a classic David and Goliath story, except David is a 14-time world champion with a sadistic streak. Femi needs a match like this to prove he belongs in the upper echelon.
3. Kevin Owens
It is genuinely shocking that a prolonged, blood-feud singles program between these two has never truly materialized on a major stage. Kevin Owens and Randy Orton are both master psychologists who know exactly how to manipulate a crowd’s emotions. WWE creative has completely dropped the ball on pulling the trigger on this obvious matchup.
Owens’ reckless, brawling nature is the perfect foil for Orton’s calculated, strike-heavy offense. Both men are completely comfortable bending the rules and utilizing weapons, meaning a No Disqualification stipulation would be absolute magic.
Owens constantly berating Orton during the match while avoiding the RKO would make for incredible television. They are two of the most reliable veterans on the roster, and they could easily headline a premium live event.
2. Sami Zayn
Sami Zayn is the ultimate sympathetic underdog, and Randy Orton is arguably the greatest natural heel of his generation. The dynamic writes itself.
Zayn’s frantic, high-energy comebacks would crash perfectly into Orton’s sudden, match-ending counters. Orton methodically picking apart the beloved underdog while the crowd begs for a comeback is wrestling booking 101.
Zayn needs high-profile opponents who can force him to dig deep and show his aggressive side. Orton punting Zayn’s head into the third row would generate the kind of visceral heat that very few heels can actually achieve.
1. Gunther
This is the ultimate final boss battle for Randy Orton. Gunther has systematically dismantled the old guard, bringing a punishing, stiff style that leaves opponents bruised and battered.
Orton’s methodical pacing would be put to the ultimate test against the Ring General’s relentless, agonizing chops and brutal suplexes. It is a fascinating clash of philosophies: the American sports entertainment legend against the European purist.
Gunther does not make mistakes, meaning Orton would have to pull out every dirty trick he has learned over his 24-year career. An RKO out of nowhere countering a devastating lariat is the exact type of finish that keeps fans coming back. This is the one true dream match left on the board.
Honorable Mentions
Before wrapping up, a few other names deserve a nod. Solo Sikoa continues to be a thorn in Orton's side, and a definitive singles blow-off is still required. Dominik Mysterio taking an RKO would be wildly entertaining for purely selfish reasons.
And of course, a final, definitive clash with Cody Rhodes to officially pass the torch remains a massive box office draw. As WrestleTalk noted, Orton turning heel and brutalizing his former friend Cody Rhodes has set the stage for something massive, provided we completely ignore the rumors predicting a match for an unannounced WrestleMania.
