This week on SmackDown, Randy Orton, AJ Styles, and LA Knight clashed with each other as they argued about who should get the opportunity to face Roman Reigns for his title. After a chaotic start, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis found a solution and scheduled a triple-threat match to decide the worthy opponent for ‘The Tribal Chief’.

Orton, Styles, and Knight will wrestle each other at the first WWE SmackDown of 2024 – which will have a “New Year’s Revolution” theme – to decide who will challenge Reigns at Royal Rumble 2024. All three stars are equally talented, but ‘The Viper’ may have a slight advantage over the others, thus winning the triple-threat match. Here’s why.

The Bloodline has wronged Orton, Styles, and Knight in the past. All three superstars have been victims of Reigns’ malicious plans. But out of the three, Orton’s story stands out more. He had to suffer the most at the hands of The Bloodline as the heel faction caused 18 months of his career.

Styles only suffered a few months’ absence, while Knight had to only take some beating and a humiliating loss at Crown Jewel. Therefore, Orton’s story is the most appealing and has the potential to become the strongest rivalry and storyline.

2. ⁠Fans love ‘The Viper’

Among the three superstars, ‘The Apex Predator’ is the fan favorite right now. He was absent for more than a year and fans missed him seeing in the ring. When he returned as a babyface, the WWE Universe was overjoyed and showered him with love and support. Thus, capitalizing on his momentum, WWE may pitch Orton against Reigns for the 2024 Royal Rumble.

3. ⁠Orton and Triple H share a special bond

Currently, WWE is running under the Head of Creative Triple H. He and Orton go way back to the early 2000s when the latter was the former’s right hand in the stable, Evolution. The two also joined forces in the mid-2010s when heel stable ‘The Authority’ was dominating WWE.

Orton and ‘Hunter’ also had an intense rivalry in the past years, but in reality, they have a very close bond with each other. Orton has regarded ‘HHH’ as his mentor. Considering this, he does have an upper hand compared to Styles and Knight for winning the triple threat match scheduled for SmackDown 05/01/2024.

Do you also think that ‘The Viper’ will come out victorious from the triple threat match? Let us know in the comments below.