Has Randy Orton lost his steam?

[Von Hooten]

Both as a wrestler and an Action Figure.

As a wrestler, he doesn't do anything for me. Not to insult any fans of his, but when he comes across my TV screen, that is usually a piss break for me. I get more excited watching a Divas match then a match Randy Orton is in.

As an action figure...

Well Mattel loves to talk TV time a Superstar has and whatnot, but that is just it. He still gets TV time, but it feel more forced or misplaced than it did a couple years ago. He certainly isn't as front and center as he used to be. If anything it's alomst like he became a filler superstar. Not a main eventer, but not a jobber as well.

Also from the standpoint of an action figure, kids can buy into colorful characters like Rey. They may take time to sell, but they'll eventually sell. Heck, I think even Ultimate Warrior can appeal to a kid who doesn't know who he is. Kofi is another good example or good color and attire chioces in figure form.

Cena makes sense because everyday there is a new 5,6, or 7 year old that just started watching WWE and it needs to be availble for when mom goes grocery shopping. Opposite of that CM Punk has been growing closer to pegwarmer status.

IMO Randy Orton's in ring persona doesn't appeal to kids infact I don't know who it appeals to anymore. Even a buddy of mine who would have taken a bullet for the man has moved onto other performers. On top of that his figures are boring as hell.

So why does Mattel keep making so many? I understand that he comes in handy for budget reasons, but even at that it seems like more of a waste. I'd like to think that there are plently of other guys they could make in place of him when they need to adhere to budgets, or when they simply ran out of ideas.

[PJ]

Because he still gets one of the loudest pops at events. He is one of the technically best in the WWE. Kind of like his father he is too technically sound. I will say I hate the way he delivers his clotheslines. But since he came back from his suspention it seems he's still in their dog house as all he has been doing is putting over guys like Barrett and the Shield. And to put both him an Sheamus in a 6 man tag to start off Wrestlemania was pretty much a slap in both their faces.

[Daniel Arshad]

Apr 17, 2013 13:51:51 GMT -5 PJ said:

Because he still gets one of the loudest pops at events. He is one of the technically best in the WWE. Kind of like his father he is too technically sound. I will say I hate the way he delivers his clotheslines. But since he came back from his suspention it seems he's still in their dog house as all he has been doing is putting over guys like Barrett and the Shield. And to put both him an Sheamus in a 6 man tag to start off Wrestlemania was pretty much a slap in both their faces.

Pretty much this. Also, he has a LOT of appeal to the teenage girls demographic, as well as the girlfriends and wives watching the show with their boyfriend/husband.
It's also funny to me how much hate Orton gets on the internet when he is quite frankly one of the top 5 performers in the company, and has been for nearly a decade now. His figures may be a bit boring, and Mattel does make too many of them, but that's, among other reasons, also because retailers look for the "top characters" of a toyline to have a heavy presence across the series. That's why Cena, Rey and Orton have been part of almost every Elite line-up. There's a lot of factors that go into the decisions toy manufacturers make, and collectors, much like the IWC as a whole, are a much less important factor in those decisions than we'd like to imagine.

[Deleted]

i still like orton, one of my brother and i's favorite

[Last Trent Barreta Fan]

Orton gets hate because his character has been bland for years and they refuse to change him.

[Nivro™]

His figures suck because his attire is so dull and bland. Its always black trunks with a different color logos. It would be like releasing Bob Orton in Green trunks, then red, then blue and not really adding anything more to make it worth buying.

[qdogg]

Orton is on his last strike so they are afraid to push him at all so he will probably dwell in the midcard ranks for quite some time. Sheamus really should of fought Del Rio at Mania for the World heavyweight title. Swagger/Del Rio is probably the worst World Title match the company has ever made for a Mania.

[dizcoduck]

Orton is one of my favorites, but he could at least change the color of the design on his trunks once in awhile.

[sicko16]

I have to say growing up I really enjoyed watching Randy Orton. I thought Evolution was a great stable.
To be honest I don't think he has the personality to be a face, this, and a combination of them not really pushing him as much means he's just languishing in the upper mid card, low main event level and everyone seems to be turning off of him.

I still haven't got a Randy figure by mattel because I've always wanted the other figures in a series more. Although i will probably get the new one because I only really want Ryback from E21.

[mrassbillygunn]

Not for me. I think hes the best wrestler/worker they've got at the moment. Always gets a great pop but i can see where you're coming from because hes lost a few matches lately that surprised a few people but i dont think hes lost any steam over it.

[Deleted]

Orton is a one and done elite for me, as far as figures go. As a performer, he was at his best as a bad guy. I wouldn't say he is still in the dog house. It's been reported that Smackdown doesn't have a lot of draw appeal at house shows. Infact, the "brand spilt" is on its last leg. They had no mention of a draft lottery, TV showing doesn't spilt the talent as much, and the house shows will start following the same pattern. The problem is timing and faith in other superstars. Orton has been very vocal about turning heel, but until WWE feels comfortable with Sheamus and ADR being top draws, Orton needs to maintain his appeal to the mass. "Smart fans," like us, are pining for those Age of Orton days!

As a figure, I think E21 will be the one I keep. I never liked his older ones b/c they all have grandpa face, IMO.

[sean™]

I imagine everyone that WANTS an Orton figure, has one by now. Easily the most common wrestler I see anywhere. I don't see a TON of him, but he's pretty much at any store around here.

Honestly, I'm waiting for Mattel to come out with another Evolution era or Age of Orton era version before I pick up another.

[Lorenzo Alcazar]

Here is the problem with Randy Orton figures:

If you have one, you essentially have them all. Except for when he gets a new head scan, the only thing different about his figures are whatever color the very small design is on his always black trunks.

So really, there is no incentive for me to continue to buy the same Randy Orton figure over and over and over and over. I have Elite 2. I didn't get another one until Elite 9. Then I didn't get another one until Basic 19 or whatever it was with the new molded beard and I put the head on my Elite 9 body. I was FORCED to buy Best of PPV Orton for the Teddy Long legs, but never would have bought that figure if it wasn't for the legs.

So I have no plans to buy another Randy Orton figure until he gets a new head scan IF I like it, or if he's packaged with an accessory I simply cannot pass up.

[Deleted]

Bahahahaha lovin' the original posters comments about Orton. Conveniently I think exactly the same thoughts about Randy Orton. He is just another washed up baby face who runs neck and neck with John Cena. He was awesome when he first came and had the cast on his arm, then being the legend killer and forming the legacy was awesome, then joining Evolution was great, but after that he just went down hill and fast!! Being a baby face does nothing for superstars but mostly ruins their careers. Not everyone of course, but some ppl just shouldn't be a face period! (CM Punk, Randy Orton, Big Show, Sheamus etc)

[lestial12]

Orton moves well in my area, so i dont see that much of him. Wrestling wise, he's good, been a fan since "get well randy" days. Id love to see a Backlash 04 Orton as thats one of my favorite all time matches. The red trunks would pop, the evolution shirt might have to be altered for PG purposes (like the Jakks version was), and an IC title would make it a figure of the year candidate IMO. I know that was slightly off topic, but i wouldn't mind seeing vintage Orton in basic lines either.

[Deleted]

Whats my line?

[Deleted]

Yes

[Goon.]

Love Orton, My favourite wrestler.

[AlexWestCollects]

He needs to change is damn look. He's so boring. Zero personality. N he looks like he's gain a few lbs.

[MWFD]

Not a collector of current superstars (just Legends), but his character is stale. I have to say though, having attend the Raw in Philly 3 weeks ago (the one with the Legends Panel in the main event), he got one helluva pop still. Much to my surprise. Definitely talent and much better as a heel. The 2 strikes definitely hurt him though.