Randy Orton’s Decimation of Matt Cardona on SmackDown Triggers a Warning from Chelsea Green

Randy Orton destroyed Matt Cardona on this week's SmackDown. It has led to Chelsea Green speaking up for her husband.

Randy Orton’s Decimation of Matt Cardona on SmackDown Triggers a Warning from Chelsea Green

Chelsea Green on Randy Orton attacking Matt Cardona [via- WWE]

A week after giving Cody Rhodes one of the most callous beatdowns in recent memory, Randy Orton doubled down on that with Matt Cardona being the victim this time around. ‘The Viper’ called Cardona out to the ring for an apology after berating the erstwhile Zack Ryder in a backstage segment on SmackDown. Orton admitted that he’s been out of his head lately before pleading with Cardona to forgive him.

‘The Deathmatch King’ got tricked into a hug by Orton and a handshake that followed the warm embrace between the two. But then, out of nowhere, Orton went low on Cardona and dropped him with an RKO. ‘The Apex Predator’ eventually Pillmanized the New Yorker’s left arm in a completely unhinged move.

Seemingly disgusted about it, Matt Cardona’s wife, Chelsea Green, issued a warning to the 14-time world champion on X. “Not too much on my man!!!!” wrote Green.

‘The Hot Mess’ didn’t quite lash out at Randy Orton for his dastardly attack on her husband, but that might be her coping mechanism. Orton is not to be messed with at the moment. On top of that, someone has been in his ears since he brutalized his brother-like friend Cody Rhodes. The said figure rang Orton up on Raw this past Monday when the St. Louis-born wrestler was about to give an interview to Michael Cole.

‘The Legend Killer’ said he appreciated the caller justifying his actions and reminding the 45-year-old who he truly was. Orton was on the phone with the same person before heading down to the ring to summon Matt Cardona. ‘The Viper’ was heard saying he was glad his call was answered and promised to fix it. Fix what? The annihilation of Matt Cardona? It seems like that only.

WWE has published an article on its official website predicting the mastermind behind the cell phone conversations that Orton’s had of late. The list of suspects has Randy’s father, “Cowboy” Bob Orton, as the prime suspect, followed by The Rock, who’s the prediction of the majority of the fans as well. Ric Flair and Kevin Owens have also found a mention.

The possibility of Randy Orton merely listening to the voices in his head was also discussed in the article. It flirted with the idea of Orton pretending to be on the phone with someone while just listening to his conscience so that he could blame someone else for corrupting him. It would be interesting to see if WWE actually ends up unveiling the mystery caller.

Mark Henry backs Randy Orton to break John Cena’s WWE record

The most unsurprising aspect about Randy Orton channeling his darker side is the reluctance of the live crowds to boo him. The fans chanted for him even when he gave Cody Rhodes a crimson mask. Moreover, the folks in attendance on this week’s SmackDown chanted “one more time” when ‘The Apex Predator’ stomped Matt Cardona’s left arm, which was already tucked into a steel chair.

John Cena and Randy Orton
John Cena and Randy Orton [via- BR wrestling]

The cheering for Orton is only going to intensify as he closes in on his WrestleMania showdown with Rhodes for the WWE title. ‘The Viper’ is hellbent on becoming a 15-time world champion, which would take him one step closer to John Cena‘s record of seventeen world title reigns in WWE. And Mark Henry believes that Orton is the most deserving candidate to eclipse it.

Speaking on the Busted Open Radio podcast, Henry explained why the fans have been giving massive babyface reactions to ‘The Apex Predator’ despite him turning heel. It’s because the former Evolution member is on the verge of an accomplishment. Orton capturing the world title would catapult him into the third spot on the list of WWE stars having the most world title reigns ever.

‘The Legend Killer’ is currently tied with Triple H at fourteen world championship reigns. Circling back to Henry’s comments, he put emphasis on the fact that the current version of Randy Orton has been two decades in the making. ‘The World’s Strongest Man’ affirmed that it took the fans that long to appreciate what they have in this third-generation wrestler.

Henry also brought up how Orton troubled the management in his early days in a self-sabotaging manner. However, the present iteration of him is akin to a Hall of Famer, stressed Henry. The latter said that Orton has turned himself into a very special act in this business and not merely as Bob Orton’s kid.

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