Randy Orton kicked off the Oct. 26 edition of SmackDown with his
usual quiet confidence and stoicism as he responded to Alberto Del Rio’s
dogged pursuit of the nine-time World Title holder.
Unfortunately, Orton also forgot to keep his guard up.
Moments after promising to dole out “the single most brutal beating of [Del Rio’s] life” at WWE Hell in a Cell this Sunday (MATCH PREVIEW),
The Viper fell prey to an assault from behind by longstanding rival
Wade Barrett. The English brawler’s sneak attack was not only brief, but
its purpose — to prove that Del Rio could play mind games with the
third-generation Superstar — also came through loud and clear.
Just
a few short months ago, the master of the RKO stood on the ring apron
and stated his intentions to challenge Sheamus for his World Heavyweight
Championship. Orton would come up short against Big Show, however, for
the right to be The Celtic Warrior’s next No. 1 contender — thanks to
two vicious ambushes by Del Rio. (WATCH)
Then after being taunted by a seemingly fearless Del Rio in the weeks
that followed, a timely distraction by The Mexican Aristocrat on Friday
evening caused The Viper to succumb to Barrett’s Souvenir Elbow for a
demoralizing defeat just two days before the upcoming pay-per-view.
It leaves the WWE Universe asking one question: Has Alberto Del Rio caused Randy Orton to lose his serpentine edge?
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