Christian/Orton: One Year Later

Since I talked about the big CM Punk angle that happened last year, I figured I should look back at the controversial Smackdown summer angle they had last year. To be fair, it probably was not supposed to be as controversial as it was. Randy Orton defeated Christian for the World's Heavyweight Championship just days after Christian won it. This upset a lot of fans. It led to an elaborate feud between the two men, including a heel turn for Christian. Christian regained the title, but Orton won it back soon after, again.

One year later, things have changed a lot. Going back to that Punk angle, one year after that, CM Punk is still doing pretty well for himself. Orton is suspended. If he had not gotten suspended, he would most likely have still been involved in an upper-midcard matter. He might have been involved in the WWE Championship Money in the Bank ladder match, but even he would have been overshadowed by Cena. Christian fell even further, which is not shocking. He is holding a title, but it is a midcard title. And he is face again. Not a bad thing. To map it all out further, Christian started off being used to put over the centerpiece of Smackdown in an elaborate feud. After that, he got demoted to feuding with Sheamus, who had not yet won the World's Heavyweight Championship. He then got a series of injuries that kept him away. During that time, I believe it was teased that he may return as a main-eventer. Instead, he returns in the midcard. Be thankful Christian isn't a diva. After being used to put over a centerpiece, he would have most likely fallen off the face of television.

Did the WWE mess up the storyline? It wasn't really that much of a storyline. I still think they should have just given Christian a good 2 or 3 months with the title when he first won it. You look at title reigns Mark Henry, Daniel Bryan, and Sheamus have gotten in the last year. When I had faith that Christian would get a good run on Smackdown, I was basing that off the fact that the WWE usually passes the ball better on that show. Those three men I just mentioned prove my point with the reigns they received. It looks like it was just a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Christian won the title when Randy Orton first moved to Smackdown to be the centerpiece there. I'm still sure Christian will win the title again down road, providing he doesn't get another serious injury.