# 21: Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes from SmackDown
The November 4th Street Fight between Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes will go down as one the most brutal beat downs of the year. Reigniting a rivalry that began when their Legacy faction fell apart, The Viper and his former protégé tortured one another throughout the ringside area. It was a test of will for Rhodes, who spilled serious amounts of plasma after getting blasted in the head with the sharp edge of a monitor, but Cody could not beat the man who taught him every dirty trick in the book. In the end, Orton won with two RKOs before slipping a paper bag onto the ravaged face of his former ally.
# 18: Randy Orton vs. CM Punk from Extreme Rules
Before delivering an uncensored interview that would change the course of his WWE career, CM Punk was desperately trying to piece together a frayed Nexus that had unraveled under Wade Barrett. Looking to reestablish his crew’s reputation at the expense of Randy Orton, The Second City Savior entered Extreme Rules in May to face The Viper in a Last Man Standing Match. Of course, the slimy leader planned for New Nexus to do the dirty work for him, but that plot fell apart when Mason Ryan and company were barred from ringside, leaving Punk all alone with WWE’s Apex Predator. Amidst a barrage of kendo sticks, chairs, exposed turnbuckles and steel steps, Orton reigned supreme, executing a jaw dropping RKO on The Straight Edge Superstar from the top rope that put him out for the count.
# 16: World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton vs. U.S. Champion Dolph Ziggler from Raw
It was a blast for the WWE Universe when the World Heavyweight Champion and United States Champion met on one of the first Raw SuperShows under COO Triple H. Despite the lack of bad blood between the competitors — and with Orton nearing a title bout against Christian — The Viper and the self-styled showoff clashed like their careers were on the line. Ziggler put up a championship-worthy fight, stopping Orton in his tracks with a superkick as WWE's Apex Predator ran in for a punt, delivering a Zig-Zag outside the ring and nearly sealing the contest by reversing the RKO into a sleeper hold. In the end, though, it wasn’t enough, as Orton tossed his opponent into the air and administered the RKO to seal Ziggler’s fate.
# 14: Randy Orton vs Wade Barrett from WWE TLC
In the midst of a career resurgence he dubbed the “Barrett Barrage,” the thuggish Wade Barrett had either the guts or foolishness to target the biggest dog on SmackDown — Randy Orton. Trashing Baltimore’s 1st Mariner Arena against The Viper in a Tables Match, the British Superstar nearly lost an eye when WWE’s Apex Predator sent a jagged edge of wood into his brow. Foggy from there, Barrett attempted to put Orton through a table by diving off the top rope and ended up getting RKO’d right through the pine by his venomous rival. It was a fighting effort from Barrett, but a brutal reminder of the fact that if you come at the king, you better not miss.
# 07: The 40-Man Royal Rumble Match
A WWE tradition since 1988, the over-the-top Royal Rumble has long been one of sports-entertainment’s true proving grounds, but it was never as big as it was in 2011. Cramming 40 Superstars into one ring over the course of an hour, this record-setting battle royal played host to the surprising returns of Booker T and Kevin Nash, a strength-in-numbers display from New Nexus and a bizarre partnership between John Cena and Hornswoggle. But, in the end, it was the slimy Alberto Del Rio who survived the grueling bout, dumping Santino Marella to earn a first class ticket to WrestleMania. Some guys have all the luck.
# 04: Raw Elimination Chamber Match
They say there are no atheists in foxholes. Same goes for the Elimination Chamber. Dubbed The Devil’s Playground for good reason, the satanic structure houses six Superstars inside ten tons of twisted metal, jagged steel and bulletproof glass. But, like any great battlefield, the chamber has become a place of glory that serves as a testament to the cunning or power of the Superstar who survives it. For John Cena, it has been such a place on three occasions, including this February 20 war against Sheamus, CM Punk, Randy Orton, John Morrison and R-Truth. Determined to earn a WWE Championship Match at WrestleMania, the Cenation leader persevered before finally eliminating Punk to earn his showdown with The Miz on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
# 03: World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton vs. Christian from Over the Limit
When two established Superstars meet with a title on the line, WWE fans can expect fireworks. They would not be disappointed at Over the Limit in May. In a gripping match for the World Heavyweight Championship, Randy Orton and Christian continued their rivalry to dueling cheers of "Let's go Orton/Let's go Christian.” Desperate to get his title back, Captain Charisma came out strong, but WWE’s Apex Predator battled back with a DDT and a powerslam. Finally, The Viper was able to counter Christian’s Killswitch attempt with an RKO, sealing the win and sending his opponent into a downward spiral from which he still hasn’t recovered.
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