Randy Orton’s “King of the Ring” pin patch: an accident or planned?

There has been a lot of talk about the controversial ending to the King and Queen of the Ring event, where Randy Orton’s shoulder was visibly not down during Gunther’s winning pin. This botched pin has sparked debate among fans and insiders as to whether it was a genuine mistake or part of a larger storyline.

The issue was addressed by Triple H after the match and on subsequent WWE broadcasts. Damian Priest mentioned it on Monday’s show and Kevin Owens praised Orton on Friday’s SmackDown. Triple H confirmed that a rematch between Orton and Gunther is planned, adding fuel to the fire of speculation. According to Fightful, the mishap was not part of the original booking, but the exact details remain unclear.

Accidental blunder or clever move?

Fightful Select reported that the botched finish, in which Orton’s shoulder wasn’t fully down, was actually an accident. The story has since changed. Given Orton’s extensive experience and Gunther’s technical prowess, as well as the fact that WWE referees are trained to make sure shoulders are down before counting a pin and to spot mistakes during the fight, evidence is mounting to refute the report.

Given Orton’s debut over 20 years ago and his reputation as a great wrestler, it’s unlikely that he would inadvertently mess up such an important match. Likewise, it’s unlikely that the referee would overlook such an obvious mistake without reason.

Favorable timing and future plans

The timing of this incident and its subsequent integration into WWE storylines almost seems too convenient. WWE has a long history of turning unexpected events into exciting storylines, so it’s entirely possible they’ll take advantage of the mistake. That said, this could be a calculated move to ramp up the tension between Orton and Gunther and set the stage for an intense rivalry.

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Reviewing the match footage, it appears that Orton’s shoulder was initially down at the start of the pin, but he intentionally raised it before the two-count. This move did not look accidental, but deliberate and well executed. If this was a mistake, it was a remarkably fortunate one that WWE is now using to its advantage.

Whether the botched pin was a genuine accident or a clever setup, WWE has made it a major talking point. The upcoming rematch between Orton and Gunther will no doubt be highly anticipated, and fans are eager to see if the controversy continues to play into their storyline. As WWE continues to mix reality with fiction, the line between accidental and intentional is increasingly blurred, keeping audiences captivated and guessing.