2020 is only a month old, and already WWE has one of the biggest stories in wrestling: the return of Edge. After weeks of whispers, the "Rated R Superstar" shocked everyone by entering the Royal Rumble, nine years after being forced to retire due to neck injuries. During the match, Edge briefly reunited with his old tag team partner Randy Orton. It didn’t last long as Edge eliminated Orton. The next night on RAW, Orton attacked Edge, which appears to be setting up a major feud between them.
While fans are excited by that, some feel it might be better if, rather than rivals, Edge and Orton teamed up. Rated RKO was a terrific pairing as these two arrogant heels clicked perfectly as a team. Edge and Orton are two guys who had fantastic chemistry, either as partners or rivals, and that does make their future program enticing. A partnership would let them dominate in WWE tag ranks and give some new guys a rub. A feud would be a great way to remind fans what a considerable star Edge is. Here are five reasons why Edge vs Orton makes sense and five why a Rated RKO reunion is better to showcase how special Edge’s return is.
10 TEAM: They Can Pass The Torch To a New Team
At Wrestlemania XX, Orton was with Evolution when they beat the Rock and Mick Foley. It was a big move as the veteran stars gave the younger guys the rub. It can come full circle with Edge and Orton facing some younger team and giving them a helpful push.
The choices are plentiful from the Revival to the Street Profits or even the Undisputed Era. Rather than be on top of the tag ranks, Rated RKO can pass the torch to a new team and put over some other guys for fans.
9 VS: It Tests The Waters For Edge
While it seemed the Rumble return might have been a one-off, Edge did sign a new three-year deal with WWE. That indicates he wants to make up for lost time and maybe another main event run.
Orton is a great way to test the waters and see how good Edge still is. It's much better having a veteran helping him out than some younger guy. If Edge proves he still has it with some big matches with Orton, it’ll let WWE figure out how far this comeback can go.
8 TEAM: Take on DX One Last Time
Like it or not, the Saudia Arabia shows are big business for WWE. They often push some “classic dream match” involving significant stars of the past. Few ideas would be bigger than a DX vs Rated RKO rematch. If Shawn Michaels can come back for Undertaker and Kane, he surely would like to revive this old rivalry.
Even at their ages, the four men could still put on a sound clash, especially with their warring promos. Edge would no doubt love getting his hands on HHH and HBK again and let all four enjoy another moment of glory.
7 VS: Oton Can Be Safe With Edge
The most obvious concern with Edge’s return is that, repaired or not, that neck is still a danger. While he looked great at the Rumble, wrestlers are going to have to be careful not to damage Edge too much. Orton has earned a reputation as much safer in the ring than he used to be and he knows first-hand how injuries can happen.
He would be a trustworthy choice to help lead Edge through a match that looks hard-hitting but planned to avoid any issues. Edge would be in reliable hands dealing with Orton alone.
6 TEAM: One Last Run As Tag Champions
The most heartbreaking part of Edge’s retirement was that he’d been in the middle of a good run as World Champion and had to vacate it when he quit. Edge was one of those guys who just looked better with a title around his waist, and he held a lot over the years.
Since a main event title is unlikely at his age, winning the tag belts with Orton would be best. It’d be wonderful to allow Edge one last championship run, and it’s not like he’d be the first guy at his age to hold WWE gold.
5 VS: Might Get Christian Involved
The attack on Edge helped push Orton as a monster, and he’s always great playing that role. The logical idea is for Orton to be boasting about the attack only for Edge’s lifelong best friend Christian to show up for some payback. If Edge can return, so can Christian, and he would be a functional “filler” for Orton before Edge comes back.
It can even lead to an Edge/Christian reunion to face off against Orton and another partner in a big match. Like his buddy, Christian may want one last run in WWE, and this feud is the perfect way to get E&C "reeking of awesomeness" again.
4 TEAM: They Could Tear Down the House With Anyone
For a guy who hasn’t been in a match since 2011, Edge looked fantastic in the Rumble. He was in terrific shape, hitting spears, taking hits, and wrestling like a much younger man. Orton remains in top condition as well, despite his injuries.
As a team, the pair can easily handle a bevy of top pairings in WWE. Whether against some powerhouse pair or a young team, Rated RKO could put on a terrific match (even a ladder one) against another team to remind everyone how amazing they are in the ring.
3 VS: It Pays Off On Their Long History
It’s incredible to consider that Randy Orton has been with WWE for almost 20 years. Edge started earlier, although obviously taking that nearly decade-long break. The two had a long history in that time, both as partners and rivals.
This match would be a good way for both to settle who was the better star of their period with Orton pushing how he had a longer run while Edge was more popular with the fans. Having them finally decide who was the better star would add more to this feud.
2 TEAM: They Still Rule As Heels
The interaction between Edge and Orton at the Royal Rumble showed how brilliantly the duo clicked together. While Edge is currently getting a hero’s welcome, most will agree he was so much better as a heel. Orton is the same way with his brilliant heel work, and the two tore up the place as Rated RKO.
Having them join together as the hated duo would be fabulous as Edge could act bitter about fans forgetting about him. He and Orton could put down some younger stars as not worthy of their time for a match. Seeing the dual arrogance on display would be worth the wait.
1 VS: It’s The Big Match Edge Wanted
A major moment in his return promo was Edge explaining he wanted one last major match and to go out on his own terms. Orton can give him that as the two click well together. They proved it in the Rumble and in Orton’s brutal attack. This sets up a colossal grudge match at WrestleMania where they can really cut loose.
It’s obvious Edge hated how he had to retire so suddenly without any big last battle. Orton can give him one as the two are ready to tear it up on the grandest stage. While Edge could stick around longer, a Mania brawl with Orton would be a fine capper to his career.