DETROIT — In the 2009 Royal Rumble, 30 men collided with the shared aspiration of performing at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania, but it was only one individual (with help from his two associates) who ascertained the opportunity to solidify his “Legacy.” That man is Randy Orton.

Days after the Legend Killer callously punted Mr. McMahon to the shock and disgust of the WWE Universe, Orton now proceeds toward the most important night of his career – ironically, at the celebration of the event birthed 25 years ago by the individual he felled on Raw, the WWE Chairman himself. (Watch: Orton punts Mr. McMahon)

Even with the seemingly infinite eyes of the WWE Universe narrowed in on the Legend Killer’s every move given his actions on Monday, Orton maintained focus in Detroit, shaking off any internal crisis of conscience. And, looking at his 29 Rumble opponents – Undertaker, Chris Jericho, Big Show and surprise entrant Rob Van Dam to name a few – he truly had no other choice.


At No. 8, Orton entered the over-the-top rope struggle and was quickly followed by second-generation allies in Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes. All joining the match within the first half of its near 59-minute duration, the triumvirate changed the “every man for himself” element inherent of the Rumble and instead employed an effective collaborative strategy to eliminate the likes of Kane, Big Show and others.

Rounding out a virtual “who’s who” of WWE’s greatest Superstars (many Orton has both fought and defiled in the past), this year’s 30-man encounter boasted a WWE Tag Team Champion, as well as the Intercontinental, United States and World Tag Team Champions, not to mention four past Rumble victors – all falling short of the Legend Killer’s luster.

Among them was Triple H who mounted the last strike against all three Legacy members. In the closing moments of the collision, The Game fought off a 3-on-1 attack and ousted both DiBiase and Rhodes, only for the viper-likened Orton to slither forth and eject his former mentor to secure a World Title bout on the Grandest Stage of Them All.

Twenty-five years after his father “Cowboy” Bob Orton tussled in the main event of the very first WrestleMania, the Legend Killer will give life to a new family Legacy at the silver anniversary celebration of the Biggest Spectacle of Them All. Maybe.

Though the Rumble-winning Orton’s spot in the main event of WrestleMania XXV should be soundly sealed, there still linger reparations to be made for his vindictive assault on the concussed WWE Chairman. The 2009 Royal Rumble Match winner still awaits imminent reprimand, be it a fine, suspension or possibly even termination.

A quarter-century of spectacle, pomp and gallantry will be celebrated in Houston on April 5. Typically, the question to be asked of the Rumble winner is which World Title they will opt to target on that night. In this controversy-laden scenario, however, the uncertainty lies elsewhere. Given the retribution-ridden history of the McMahon clan, will Randy Orton even be competing in WWE by the time WrestleMania XXV rolls into Reliant Stadium?