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The Best WrestleMania Matches of Randy Orton

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Shiraz Aslam | Last updated Mar 22, 2026 8:00 AM ET

Following a shocking heel turn, Randy Orton has suddenly become the hottest act in WWE. Orton will main event his third WrestleMania this year, battling Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship. Previously, The Viper headlined Mania 25 and Mania 30.

Orton’s appearances have spanned eras and have seen him at various stages of his career. He has walked into Mania with every active title on the roster. Given his 20 outings at The Show of Shows, it was difficult to accurately narrow down the top 5 ones, which is why we have a few honorable mentions:

Randy Orton vs. CM Punk at WrestleMania 27
RK-Bro Vs. Street Profits Vs. Alpha Academy at WrestleMania 38
Money in the Bank Ladder match at WrestleMania 23

With the honorable mentions out of the way, let’s delve deep into 5 of Orton’s best matches at The Grandest Stage of Them All.

#5. Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens vs. Logan Paul (c) for the U.S. Championship at WrestleMania 40: Sunday

After Logan Paul cost Randy Orton the chance to compete for the World Heavyweight Championship at Elimination Chamber, The Viper put a target on The Maverick. The U.S. Championship was on the line, and Kevin Owens, Orton’s friend and Paul’s arch-rival, was also part of the Triple Threat Match.

It was a thoroughly entertaining bout with its fair share of viral moments. In the initial stages, KO and Orton ganged up on Paul, but eventually, both friends came to blows. The 14-time World Champion also pulled an RKO out of nowhere mid-air by countering the Pop-Up Powerbomb to his signature finisher.

Furthermore, iShowSpeed, dressed as a Prime bottle, took an RKO on the announce table, a hilarious moment that generated a ton of buzz on social media. Mania needs fun matches like these, and WWE made the understandable decision of having Paul retain the US Title at WrestleMania 40.

#4. Kurt Angle (c) vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 22

By 2006, Randy Orton was beginning to find his footing as a top star in WWE. His first major assignment was to win the World Heavyweight Championship. He defeated Rey Mysterio, the 2006 Royal Rumble winner, at No Way Out. Thus, the stage was set for a colossal Triple Threat featuring Orton, Mysterio, and World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle.

They didn’t have much time as the match was wrapped up in under 10 minutes. Nonetheless, they stole the show in a thrilling classic that had the crowd on the edge of their seats. It was fast-paced and filled with dangerous spots. The double German Suplex spot is fixed in every hardcore fans’ memory.

The match had a satisfying ending as Mysterio pinned Orton to win the World Heavyweight Championship, sending the crowd into a frenzy and launching the luchador into the main event scene.

#3. Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 31

WrestleMania is all about giving fans moments that will live on with them forever. Sometimes, it’s feel-good emotional moments. In other instances, a once-in-a-lifetime viral moment occurs. Such was the case with Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 31.

Both men were once The Authority’s golden boys, but their egos grew too big. Eventually, Orton was kicked out of the group. The Viper was out for vengeance at WrestleMania 31 against Rollins. Considering the talent of the two men involved, the technical wrestling aspect of the bout was perfectly covered.

However, it was the final few seconds that etched this match in history forever. Rollins went for the Curb Stomp, but Orton moved his head up at the last second to give way to a sensational RKO. In the eyes of many fans, this was the greatest RKO of all time, one that has been replayed millions of times worldwide.

#2. Randy Orton (c) vs. Batista vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 30

In the first part of 2014, the Yes Movement was in full force. Fan support for Daniel Bryan had grown to a point that WWE had to deviate from its intended WrestleMania main event between Randy Orton and Batista. After defeating Triple H earlier in the night, Bryan went on to battle Orton and Batista.

The Authority had been a thorn in Bryan’s path for a long time, and the main event of Mania was no different. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon came out, but a Suicide Dive took them out. Nonetheless, the odds were still stacked against the Beard. The Animal and the Viper focused their attack on Bryan, eventually taking him out with the stereo Batista Bomb-RKO combo through the announce table.

Photo Credit: WWE

Despite the overwhelming odds, the Beard persevered and made Batista tap out to the Yes Lock. The crowd exploded with joy as the entire WWE Universe celebrated in unison. Bryan converted WrestleMania to YestleMania.

#1. The Undertaker vs. Randy Orton at WrestleMania 21

After a failed babyface run, WWE decided to turn Randy Orton heel, which turned out to be a brilliant decision. Orton became “The Legend Killer,” and the gimmick would be his ticket to superstardom. Fans knew what he was capable of, but it was really the feud with The Undertaker that put Orton to the test.

The Streak had received plenty of attention. With Orton on a mission to terminate legends, it made sense for him to end Taker’s streak. Although he failed in that goal, Orton came out much stronger. The Legend Killer had the performance of a lifetime. From nearfalls to countering the Chokeslam into the RKO, he took The Phenom to the limit.

In addition to the sheer quality of the match, it is also worth noting the implications of this match. Taker vs. Orton at Mania was just the appetizer. Throughout 2005, they would have multiple matches that would establish Orton as the future of the business.