There's a tendency among wrestling fans to attach great importance to> statistics - Bill Goldberg's WCW winning streak, Bret Hart's undefeated run> of steel cage matches, and most topically, the Undertaker's 12-0 record at> WrestleMania.>

With the biggest WWE event of the year just around the corner there's a> distinct possibility that Randy Orton may be the man to put an end to> Taker's run. The WWE has not been afraid to give Orton clean wins over> established industry figures in the attempt to push the "Legend Killer"> gimmick, and he holds victories over Mick Foley, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair,> and Chris Benoit.>

When Orton won the World Heavyweight Title in August 2004, only to be> attacked by his Evolution stablemates the next night on Raw, it seemed that> the WWE believed he was ready to be the Raw brand's foremost main event> babyface.>

The face turn was botched, however. Orton's sub-standard microphone> abilities combined with a quick title loss to Triple H which diminished his> credibility as a championship contender left him stranded somewhere between> main event and upper mid-card status. There's a valid argument that a> WrestleMania win over the Undertaker would give Orton's character a boost> which is sorely required.>

There is also, however, a danger that the fans will react with shrugged> shoulders. We've seen Orton defeat legends before. If he beats Taker at> WrestleMania, he will merely be following the "Legend Killer" precedent.>

Instead, I believe that the WWE can use the upcoming match to raise Orton's> profile and to make subtle changes to his character, either salvaging his> babyface persona or, as I would prefer to see, pushing him as a full blown> heel.>

The Orton-Undertaker match at WrestleMania should be fairly brutal. This> could be facilitated by a ref bump, but would more believably be provided> for by a no holds barred stipulation added at the last minute, requested by> the Undertaker in response to Orton's disrespectful attitude. The contest> should be reminiscent of some of the Attitude era street fights and include> whips into the steel ring stairs, brawling through the crowd, attacks with> TV cameras and creative use of the WrestleMania themed entranceway props.>

Towards the end, an exhausted Orton hits a desperation RKO but doesn't have> the strength to go for the cover. When he finally drapes his arm across> Taker's chest he gets a 2.9 count. Frustrated beyond words, Randy grabs a> chair and waits for the Undertaker to stand. He charges in for a brutal> chair shot, only for the weapon to be rammed into his own face via an> Undertaker big boot. One Tombstone piledriver onto the chair later, Orton is> down for the three count and the Undertaker's record is an impressive 13-0.>

Bloody, battered and, no doubt, coughing up splinters of Spanish announce> table, Orton should refuse medical assistance and walk back to the locker> room by himself, a la Steve Austin. Jim Ross makes it clear that there's no> shame in losing to the Undertaker, Randy Orton gave it everything he had,> and by God folks, we just witnessed one helluva slobberknocker.>

In short, Randy can hold his head high and comes out of WrestleMania looking> like a legitimate tough guy. His character can now go in one of two> directions.>

If the WWE is still intent on pushing Orton as a main event face then his> encounter with the Undertaker can give him a new found sense of humility. He> can lose the superiority complex that puts off a lot of fans and go on to> defeat Triple H and prove that he's genuine championship material.>

The other option, and the one I would prefer, is to use the roster split to> put Orton and Undertaker on the same program. They can kick off a> long-running rivalry with Orton becoming a much darker, obsessive character> determined to end the Undertaker's career. With Taker due to retire in the> near future, a spectacular culmination of their feud could take place in a> Hell in a Cell match with Orton putting the Undertaker out of the wrestling> business forever and legitimately claiming the title of "Legend Killer.">

Ultimately, the WWE should realize that a wrestler doesn't need back-to-back> wins over some of the biggest names in the business to get over. What's> really necessary is believable characterization and intelligent booking> against the right opponents. Randy Orton may or may not eventually carry the> company in the same way as The Rock, Steve Austin, or Hulk Hogan before him,> but it's a mistake to diminish the legacy of workers who have given their> entire working lives to the business in order to push one young potential> star.>

Let us know your thoughts on this Guest Editorial. To send us feedback,> click here.>

***>