Randy Orton vs. Batista – WWE Championship Match, Extreme Rules 2009

The Animal is on a mission. Will he survive? Or will he fail?

Randy Orton – The Legend Killer or The Viper – call him whatever you want, but he’s had a tough ride to get to the top.

Dave Batista – The Animal and Randy Orton’s number one contender for the WWE Championship at Extreme Rules. Weighing 290lb, he’s definitely made it hard for the other wrestlers to get past him.

Both of these faced each other previously on Judgement Day, earlier in 2009, where Orton retained his Championship by getting disqualified. Batista obviously was having none of that, and he defeated The Big Show to have another go at challenging Randy Orton for the Championship at Extreme Rules.

Orton had already cost Batista 4 crucial months of his career by assaulting him brutally, aided by The Legacy (Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase). Batista was out with a skull injury, and the match at Extreme Rules was being billed as redemption time for him. Months and years of frustration were about to be unleashed as The Animal would finally have his chance to repay Randy Orton’s “Favours” on him.

Orton was to defend his title by facing the Animal in a steel cage match, and the latter was pretty sure about killing the Viper; and if this match would have lasted for over 20 minutes, he may have actually done just that!

His entrance was electrifying, and the crowd was backing Batista like never before! Just as the match started, Randy turned around and tried climbing up the side of the steel cage. He’d even reached the top and Batista was holding on to his head and managed to get him back inside.

A few blows were exchanged on the top rope and Dave did get to a good start, getting a few good nips at Orton before the latter could find his footing and get back in the match. It looked as if the Animal had the match under control as he pushed Orton into a corner and kept pummelling him. Three spears in a row and Orton would’ve been almost finished, but he was definitely anticipating the third and struck back.

Orton couldn’t hold on for too long and Batista managed to give him the Suplex. The referee went for the pin but Orton kicked out. Couple of seconds later, Orton kicked Batista to the other side of the cage and tried escaping through the door!

The Animal pulled Orton back inside, but the Viper wasn’t having any of Batista’s blows anymore. A Randy Orton ‘Back-Breaker’ followed next, buying him some time and a chance to escape, again! He slithered out, both hands on the floor, but his feet weren’t.

Batista dragged Orton’s 250-pound body back into the ring, smashed his face against the steel cage repeatedly and went for a finish. Orton managed to kick-out and sent some blows the Animal’s way.

Batista did seem knocked out for a bit, and the Viper took full advantage of the situation. He should’ve escaped when he had the chance, but he stood there with a sly ‘viper-like’ grin on his face and we all knew what that meant! This match was far from over!

However, Batista knew what was coming and immediately moved out of Orton’s way, and followed up with a Spine-Buster.

He had infuriated The Animal and there was no escaping the rage that followed. Randy Orton sent Batista face first into the steel side of the cage and landed him with a drop-kick right against the steel.

Orton had yet another massive chance to escape, but he tried going for the same move that had injured Batista’s skull – The ‘knee to the skull’ or as Randy called it – ‘Punk’d!’ The Animal moved out just in time and Orton climbed the side of the steel cage again.

Batista pulled him down and was right in position for the Batista Bomb, but Orton kept pounding the Animal’s head and he let go. The Viper then tried going for the RKO, but was pushed aside by Batista onto the ropes who then kicked Orton in his stomach and put him in position for a vicious Batista Bomb that he delivered.

With Orton’s skull bouncing off the mat, Batista went for the pin. 1..2..3.. and that was that!

The WWE had a new World Champion – Dave Batista. After years of irate agony, Batista had finally given Orton what he deserved and he did not intend to stop there. He further went on to take Orton’s pride, wiped out his career, and finally ended Orton’s “Legacy”.

Dave couldn’t hold on to the Championship for a really long time, for Orton returned the next day with The Legacy to take out the new Champion. Batista suffered a ligament tear in his biceps brachii muscle, and he was in no condition to defend his title and had to let go of it.

This wasn’t the end of it though. Orton winning the Championship back led way to a Fatal-Four Match on RAW between Randy Orton, Triple H, The Big Show and John Cena. Randy Orton regained his WWE Championship, but Triple H was named the number one contender for Orton’s Championship.

And The Cerebral Assassin, The King of Kings, or whatever you wish to call him – Triple H was not one of them to give up that easily.