Sheamus (c) v. Randy Orton for the WWE Championship
This is an ultra-rare villain versus villain battle for the WWE Title. The match gets the super-special in-ring announcements, which I love for title matches like this. The announcers talk about that being both men are heels, the young superstars might be behind Sheamus while the established roster members are behind Orton. The crowd looks to have picked Orton as their favorite from the start. Michael Cole runs down stats about both men to give it an even more legitimate feel.
Orton drops Sheamus with a big dropkick for the first big move of the match. He then immediately went into the position for the RKO which Sheamus backed off from. Sheamus works on Orton’s arm which causes Orton to roll to the outside. Sheamu follows him out and they brawl around ringside. Sheamus slams Orton’s left arm on the ring steps and we have our story for the match as Sheamus works the left arm. Orton then hits a shot to Sheamus’ knee and begins working on the lower limb. The match slows to a crawl as Sheamus drives Orton shoulder first into the ringpost and then works him over in the corner. Orton responds back with more kicks to Sheamus’ leg and wraps his leg around the ring apron and the post. Crowd is actively chanting “Randy” as Orton stands over Sheamus. The Champion responds with a arm assisted DDT and then works an armbar. Sheamus switches to a top wristlock. Orton fights out with punches to the face. The two men then tee off on each other mid-ring. Sheamus then drops him with a uranage backbreaker for two. Sheamus then sets him up for the Razor’s Edge, but Orton crawls out of it and kicks Sheamus to the outside of the ring. As the Champion tries to re-enter the ring, Orton intercepts him and drops him with his patented rope assisted DDT. Orton goes for the cover but Sheamus grabs the bottom rope to save the match. Orton then sets up for the punt kick as the crowd comes alive. Sheamus sees it coming and rolls to the outside. The two men brawl outside the ring as Sheamus posts Orton. The Champion rolls Orton into the ring but then is jumped by Cody Rhodes. Sheamus then comes into the ring and gets dropped by the RKO. However as he goes for the pinfall, the referee calls for the bell and disqualifies Orton for Rhodes’ interference.
Rhodes then comes into the ring and pleads innocence to Orton. Orton responds by decking Rhodes and attacking him. Ted DiBiase then runs out to break things up between his Legacy cohorts. Orton then punches DiBiase and taunts Rhodes. Orton then turns around and walks into a bicycle kick from the Champion, who then leaves the ring, wary of Rhodes and DiBiase, who are still cowered in the corner.
That was interesting match as each villain picked a body part and tried to out hurt each other. The crowd was definitely behind Orton throughout the match and during the aftermath with Rhodes. Legacy then leaves ringside and leaves Orton laid out mid-ring.
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