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Randy Orton versus Drew McIntyre for The WWE Championship will be taking place at SummerSlam and while some believe The Viper will come out as champion, what if his past comes back to bite him? In fact, what if one of the many veterans that he brutalized make a surprise return to cost Randy Orton the title?
It's no secret that Orton has laid out several veteran Superstar over the last couple of months, which makes him more than deserving of some karmic justice at SummerSlam. Furthermore, anyone costing him a chance at pulling closer to John Cena and Ric Flair's record could be enough to put Orton on a warpath.
With SummerSlam fast approaching, here are five veterans who could cost Randy Orton the title at the Biggest Party of the Summer. As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments below and be sure to let us know if you think Randy Orton will leave SummerSlam as WWE Champion.
#5. Beth Phoenix confronts Randy Orton
Beth Phoenix might be a long shot to interfere considering the other veterans Randy Orton has recently wronged. However, it would be interesting if she made a surprise return and cost Randy Orton the WWE title at SummerSlam. In fact, it would almost be karmic justice in a way and also a way to help continue to build animosity between Orton and Edge
If nothing else, Orton getting what's coming to him from The Glamazon would be nothing short of a cathartic moment for fans that want to see justice. It might also get a legitimate reaction from fans, especially with her connection to Edge and what Randy Orton has done to him this year.
In the end, Phoenix might not seem like the most exciting option for a role like this, but her connection to Edge and what it would mean for the future makes it a compelling option. Of course, Edge is supposed to be out for a few more months and WWE will have to find a way to bridge that gap, but a tease like this could be epic.
#4. Could Christian cost Randy Orton the Championship?
Christian watched from home in horror as his best friend, Edge, was punted in the head by Randy Orton at Backlash and it was enough to prompt a return from former Champion. This plan didn't go very well, however, as Christian took on Orton in an Unsanctioned match and also got punted in the head for his troubles.
Christian is very close friends with Edge and felt so strongly about exacting revenge on Randy Orton that he couldn't be talked out of the Unsanctioned match. A lot of time has passed since Randy Orton's attack, and one has to wonder if that could lead to Christian making a surprise return at SummerSlam.
While Christian probably isn't the most exciting pick on this list, and he most likely wouldn't produce the biggest reaction, it would still be nice to see him get revenge on Randy Orton for what he did to Edge. It would also be another way to eventually reintroduce Edge into weekly programming and reignite his feud with Randy Orton as well.
#3. The Big Show could attack Randy Orton
Believe it or not, Big Show and Randy Orton have quite the history together and while he might not be as close to Orton as other Superstars, they were still very good friends. Unfortunately for Big Show, that wasn't enough to save him from a disturbing Punt that left him out of action for the last month or so.
While the history between The Big Show and Randy Orton isn't as deep as some of the other legends Orton has attacked, there is enough to warrant Big Show coming to get revenge on Randy Orton at SummerSlam. Maybe he even comes in, KO punches The Viper and leaves Drew McIntyre to pick the bones afterwards.
In the end, everyone in the WWE Universe knows that Big Show means big business and that he is not afraid to settle a score. They also know that Orton's attack was nothing short of personal and that's why Show might just show up at SummerSlam to settle the score.
#2. Shawn Michaels returns to cost Randy Orton the win
Shawn Michaels is yet another Superstar who ended up in Randy Orton's crosshairs and while the two weren't on amicable terms when the attack happened, it was still a betrayal. In fact, with Shawn Michaels and Randy Orton both friends of Triple H, Orton's attack on Michaels on Monday Night RAW was especially malicious.
Interestingly enough, Michaels seemed to give Orton a stark warning before being RKO'd at the end of his promo, which points to him possibly being involved in the match at SummerSlam. Either that or WWE is trying to set fans up for a swerve, but why would HBK promise to hit Randy Orton with a Sweet Chin Music and not follow up?
In the end, Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair have always been good friends and that's why HBK is likely to show up at SummerSlam. Of course he will have to overcome the effects of Monday's RKO and a vicious punt to the head in order to do so, but Michaels has recovered from worse in order to make the save.
#1. Ric Flair interferes with Randy Orton's match
What Randy Orton did to Ric Flair in the closing moments of Monday Night RAW two weeks ago was nothing short of reprehensible and Orton deserves punishment for his actions. Flair was literally pouring his heart out to someone he thought was his friend and received a low blow and a Punt for his efforts.
Of course the WWE Universe saw this coming for a long time, especially after Flair kept running his mouth, but to see Randy Orton turn on someone that helped him throughout his career was saddening. It also raised questions of when exactly fans will see Ric Flair on television again.
Fortunately for fans however, some signs seem to point to Ric Flair returning at the upcoming SummerSlam pay-per-view and exacting revenge on Randy Orton and ultimately aiding Drew McIntyre as a result. Not only would that probably be one of the most shocking run-ins of the night, it would be an effective way to protect Orton in defeat, as well.
How did Ric Flair spend $1500 at a pizza place? More details here
