Welcome to the sixth article in our Wrestlemania preview series. Today I'm going to take a look at the brewing feud between Randy Orton and Kane. I know most of you don't think much of this contest but if history has taught us anything, then this one should be one to remember. Kane and Orton have had some pretty awesome matches together in the past, but none this high profile. So with a bit more on the line, who will walk out the victor? Find out after the jump!
TALE OF THE TAPE
KANE
Hometown: Parts Unknown
Age: 44
Height: 7'
Weight: 323 lb
Finishing Move: Choke Slam, Tombstone Piledriver
Accomplishments: 3x World Champion (1 WWE, 1 World Heavyweight, 1 ECW), 2x Intercontinental Champion, 11x Tag Team Champion, Hardcore Champion, 2010 Money In The Bank winner, Slammy Award winner, Eigth Triple Crown champion, 3 Wrestlemania Main Events
Wrestlemania Record: 6-7
RANDY ORTON
Hometown: St. Loius, MO
Age: 31
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 235 lb
Finishing Move: RKO, Punt Kick
Accomplishments: 9x World Champion (6 WWE, 4 World Heavyweight), Intercontinental Champion, Tag Team Champion, 2009 Royal Rumble winner, Seventeenth Triple Crown champion, 3 Wrestlemania Main Events
Wrestlemania Record: 4-4
My Take: Looking at the match stat wise, I'd say they stack up pretty evenly overall. The sad part is, Kane has been in the company almost twice as long as Randy Orton. Orton has managed to capture 3x as many world titles as Kane, has racked up a royal rumble win, main evented just as many wrestlemanias and has a better win percentage at the event. I'll just go ahead and say it, Kane is an underachiever.
Randy Orton easily has the advantage based on stats and wrestlemania success alone, but he has never faced anyone as evil and menacing as Kane on the grandest stage of them all. So who will have the overall advantage? Let's turn to our trusty ESSENTIAL categories to find out.
Fan Base
Kane has only really gained the support of the audience as a part of a tag team. He has been the larger half of many odd couples in the past (X-Pac, Rob Van Dam, The Hurricane), but most people find him scary or uncomfortable to watch. Since 2010, Randy Orton has remained one of the top three most popular superstars in the company. He consistently gets a loud reaction from the live audience, and his RKO is arguably, the most popular finish since the Stone Cold Stunner.
Advantage: Orton
Match Strategy
Kane's goal in every match is to inflict as much physical and psychological damage he can. He doesn't even seem to care whether or not he wins, rather enjoying the time given to hurt his opponents. Randy Orton is at best when taking a methodical approach to his matches. As a fan favorite, he has substituted a lot of substance for style. His power slams, middle rope DDT, and wake up taunt are all a sight to see, but he has lost a bit of his edge, resulting in some of the biggest losses in his career over the past couple of years (Mark Henry, Wade Barrett, Christian, Dolph Ziggler). If he plans on beating the Big Red Machine at Wrestlemania, he will have to channel his sick sadistic side (circa 2009).
Advantage: Neither
Focus
Randy Orton has been all over the place lately. One moment he's world champion, the next he's injured, then he's feuding with a mid carder. He doesn't seem to have any major goals right now and it seems that he has a bulls eye on his back. Every time he defeats a rival, another one blindsides him. In this instance, that man is no other than Kane, who is the WWE's resident bully. Kane does not need a reason to hurt anybody, but when he has his sights set on a particular superstar, he doesn't hesitate, he doesn't waver and Randy Orton will have to look over his shoulder in the coming weeks until he can rid himself of the big red monster.
Advantage: Kane
Ring Presence
Randy Orton is one of the most intimidating superstars in WWE history. One of the few true destroyers left in the company and when the first few chords of "voices" hit, his opponents know they have their work cut out for them. On the flip side,The Undertaker is the only superstar who strikes more fear into the hearts of competitors than Kane. He may not be a nine time world champion, but he is the last superstar you want to end up in the ring with no matter what the circumstances.
Advantage: Kane
Momentum
Kane is fresh off the losing end of a feud with John Cena. Randy Orton is fresh off injury. Neither man has really made much of an impact in 2012 thus far.
Advantage: Neither
Conditioning
For his size, Kane is one of the most smooth and agile competitors in the WWE. However, he doesn't have a Randy Orton-like motor. Orton's methodical in-ring style helps him maintain the control of a match over long periods of time. There are faster superstars, there are tougher and more powerful men on the roster as well, but there is perhaps no other competitor in the WWE who can keep up with Randy Orton.
Advantage: Orton
Toughness
Randy Orton's legendary battle with Mick Foley at Backlash 2004, is one of the most brutal and hard fought matches I have ever witnessed. Cactus Jack threw in everything in his arsenal in hopes of capturing Orton's IC title, but nothing would keep the viper down. To this day, it's this match that has established Orton as one of the toughest superstars of all time. He is also nearly undefeated in street fights and falls count anywhere matches. While Orton's will to win is without question top notch, it's Kane that takes the edge here. He has had ambulance doors slammed into his head, been burned, buried alive, hit with chairs, trash cans, kendo sticks, and pretty much everything else you can imagine. He is pro wrestlings equivalent of Mike Myers, he just doesn't die.
Advantage: Kane
Desire
As tough and as intimidating as Kane is, he hasn't accomplished much in the last decade. He rarely is involved in main events or any title scene and he doesn't seem to care. Randy Orton is one of the most successful superstars ever and it's because not matter what, he always gives 110%. Even if the match was for the rights to a bottle of orange soda, Orton would fight as if it were his last match.
Advantage: Orton
Repertoire
For a big man, Kane is one of the most versatile and well-rounded competitors of all time. That being said, he pales in comparison to Randy Orton. Over the years, he has added a ton of moves to his arsenal and while many jaded fans try and knock Orton for doing "run-through" routines as of late, when he needs to, he can pull out a wide variety of maneuvers.
Advantage: Orton
Quality of competition
Kane's worth here is similar to that of The Big Show. He has faced a who's who of WWE superstars and legends, but he rarely comes out the victor and he has lost a lot of his aura over the last decade. Randy Orton has beaten many of the men Kane has struggled with. Top level talent like John Cena, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, CM Punk, The Undertaker, Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio, Kurt Angle, Edge, Batista, Ric Flair and even Kane himself have all fallen victim to the WWE's Apex Predator.
Advantage: Orton
Final Thoughts
I won't deny that this should be a good, hard fought match. Hell, they still have a couple more weeks to add a stipulation or two to make things even more interesting. Still, when it's all said and done, look for the Viper to make a return and for Kane to add yet another high profile loss to his resume. 10 years ago at Wrestlemania X8, Kurt Angle defeated Kane using his quickness and intelligence. Look for Orton to employ a similar strategy to make easy work out of Kane.
Overall Advantage: Orton
GOOOOOO Orton!!!!
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