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Randy Orton is taking a lot of flak for the manner in which he won his WWE Championship at Summerslam. And certainly, redeeming his Money in the Bank title shot on an opponent who had just been concussed by Triple H's (likely extremely sweaty) chassis, doesn't exactly honor the athletic spirit of dearly departed greats such as Andre the Giant, Buddy Rogers, or the Undertaker.
But what really, has he done wrong?
According to statements made by Bradshaw on RAW, nothing. And I'm inclined to agree. The spirit of competition in the WWE was upheld here by Orton having to go through hell to win the Money in the Bank briefcase, as everyone else in the WWE aspired to do. And, like nearly all past MitB winners, he earned the right to use it at on opportune time, where winning the championship was very likely.
Furthermore, the son of the "Ace Cowboy" immediately scheduled a title bout with Daniel Bryan who, by virtue his WWE Championship rematch clause, is the #1 contender for the belt. He went one step further by squaring off with old foe Christian in a corker of a non-title affair on RAW, as well.
We may not like his slow, ominous way of talking, his tattoo covered tattoos, his aggressive fade haircut, or anything else about him, but Orton has been anything but the "cowardly villain" champion. To the contrary, he's been a sporting vanguard thus far and for this, I believe he should be recognized, if not praised.
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OFFICIAL WRESTLER WRANKINGS FORMULA
ANY WIN = 2 POINTS
US OR INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE BOUT = 1 POINT
WWE OR WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE BOUT = 3 POINTS
NON "BIG 4" PPV BONUS = 1.5X
SUMMERSLAM, SURVIVOR SERIES, ROYAL RUMBLE = 2X BONUS
WRESTLEMANIA = 3X BONUS
The WWE season begins on the day after WrestleMania 29 and culminates with WrestleMania 30. The wrestler who accumulates the most points over the course of the season, wins the coveted Wrankings Championship!
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Monday Night RAW -- 8/26/13
Main Event -- 8/28/13
SmackDown -- 8/30/13
WRESTLER WRANKINGS, WEEK 21 *TOP TEN*
1. ALBERTO DEL RIO -- 59 points
2. Daniel Bryan -- 54
3. Randy Orton -- 52
4. Curtis Axel -- 45
5. Dolph Ziggler -- 34
6. Christian -- 33
7. John Cena – 31.5
8. Sheamus -- 30
T9. Ryback -- 26
T9. Miz -- 26
Thanks for reading Cagesiders. We'll see you back here next week!