Rated RKO was one of the most exciting tag teams of the Ruthless Aggression Era. With two legendary names, Randy Orton and Edge, the tag team attained significant success, even though they were short-lived.

RELATED: The 10 Best Storylines Of Randy Orton's Career

Rated RKO was named after Edge's nickname and Randy Orton's finishing move. It was the combination of The Rated R Superstar and the RKO. They began their alliance for the first time during the latter part of 2006, but they were disbanded in the very next year. They, meanwhile, won the World Tag Team Championship in this time period, Subsequently, they also had a reunion a couple of times from 2007 to 2011. But during their time as a team, which Superstar was truly the better member of Rated RKO?

10 Edge: Had Lita By His Side

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Edge and Randy Orton weren't the only two Superstars to be part of Rated RKO, especially in the early days of the tag team. As Lita had a relationship with Edge back in the day, she was also by the side of The Rated R Superstar.

Lita's presence made a difference in Rated RKO. With the former Women's Champion by the ringside, Edge and Rated RKO had a tactical advantage against opponents.

9 Randy Orton: By 2006, Orton Didn't Need A Valet Interfering On His Behalf

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Even though Randy Orton was one of the most hated heels of that era, he didn't need a sidekick to prevail over his rivals like Edge in 2006. He faced his former Evolution leader, Triple H, or even Batista and Ric Flair, but The Legend Killer was confident in his ability, unlike Edge.

Lita certainly guided both Edge and Randy Orton during her short time with the duo, but the latter wasn't too dependent on the manager to get the job done, which made him look better than his former tag team partner.

8 Edge: Won World Heavyweight Championship After The Split

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Orton and Edge joined forces not only to stop DX but also to elevate their positions as Superstars. Rated RKO officially split in April 2007, and then, Edge made an instant impact in the singles division.

Edge won the Money in the Bank briefcase from Mr. Kennedy, who was the original holder of the briefcase in 2007. Seeing the perfect opportunity to cash in the contract against then World Heavyweight Champion, The Undertaker, he pinned the Deadman and won the World Heavyweight Championship in May 2007.

7 Randy Orton: Won WWE Championship After The Split

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While Edge won the world title as a singles star right after breaking up Rated RKO, Orton wasn't far away, either. Although The Viper wasn't as early as Edge to join the party, he won the WWE Championship, which was certainly more prestigious than the World Heavyweight Championship.

Orton entered the WWE Championship picture after parting ways from Edge, and after a couple of unsuccessful attempts, he eventually wore the title around his waist after John Cena was forced to vacate the title.

6 Edge: Initiated To Start Rated RKO

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Edge was the leader of Rated RKO because he was the one to come up with an idea to form the group. Tired by the domination of Monday Night Raw by DX, Edge, along with Orton, took an oath to stop them.

RELATED: Edge: 10 Potential Feuds For His Comeback

On an episode of RAW in October 2006, Edge called out Orton and invited him to join him. In response, The Legend Killer took the opportunity with both hands and began their journey.

5 Randy Orton: Reunited Rated RKO Against Evolution

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Orton and Edge went their separate ways, but their next reunion was at the end of 2007. On an episode of RAW in December, Rated RKO joined forces for one night only.

They also brought in Umaga to compete in a six-man tag team match against Evolution, Orton's former friends. Though Rated RKO lost the bout, it was one of the greatest moments for the renowned tag team.

4 Edge: Pinned Ric Flair & Won The Tag Team Championship

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After setting up Rated RKO, they didn't have to wait long to get their hands on the twin belts. They won the World Tag Team Championship within a month of their formation, after dethroning Ric Flair and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper on an episode of RAW.

Piper got assaulted by Rated RKO before the match could even begin, forcing Ric Flair to defend the belts alone. As it was technically a Handicap match, Rated RKO had a huge advantage. However, Edge was the one to pick up the win for his team by pinning the sixteen-time WWE Champion.

3 Randy Orton: Pinned Triple H & Beat DX

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Rated RKO took cheap shots at DX, which led to a match between the two tag teams at the 2006 Cyber Sunday pay-per-view, with Eric Bischoff voted in as the special guest referee. Bischoff also acted biasedly in favor of the villainous team.

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It was a great match, but DX suffered their first defeat since the reunion in 2006. Randy Orton delivered an RKO to Triple H on a steel chair, which was enough to pin The Game and defeat DX.

2 Edge: Beat Orton In A Singles Match

Well, there should be no better way to judge the better man in a tag team than to have a singles encounter between them. When their relationship was at the boiling point, the two men crossed paths with each other on an episode of RAW.

Delivering an outstanding match, the Rated RKO members gave their best shots to prove the superiority. Nevertheless, it was Edge, who had the last laugh at the end, as a vicious Spear was enough to secure the victory on the April 30, 2007 edition of Monday Night Raw.

1 Randy Orton: Teased The Reunion Years Later & Began A Rivalry

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Randy Orton started one of the best feuds of his career earlier this year after assaulting a returning Edge, who made his in-ring come back after almost nine years at the 2020 Royal Rumble. Although The Viper teased a reunion of Rated RKO at Royal Rumble, he turned his back in the very next RAW after the Royal Rumble.

The two men met at WrestleMania 36, where Edge prevailed over Orton. However, The Viper got his vengeance at Backlash by winning the Greatest Wrestling Match Ever. As a result of their most recent match, Edge was put on the shelf with a torn triceps injury

NEXT: 10 Wrestlers You Forgot Teamed With Edge