WWE Fans Point Out Bizarre Trend Between Randy Orton, AEW and Released Wrestlers

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Randy Orton found himself trending on Monday, but not because of anything he had done on WWE TV (he reportedly isn't backstage for this week's Monday Night Raw despite local advertising claiming otherwise). Instead, "The Viper" was on so many fans' minds because of a bizarre trend that had started forming recently. Beginning with Matt Hardy just before the COVID-19 pandemic began, a string of wrestlers who have been let go by the company all had their final appearance on WWE TV involve them getting attacked (either physically or verbally) by the former WWE Champion.

That included Christian Cage, The Big Show, Mark Henry, Bray Wyatt (released this past weekend) and Ric Flair (who was granted his release on Monday). And as an extra twist, Hardy, Cage, Show and Henry have all wound up in All Elite Wrestling. You can see some of the fan reactions to this trend in the list below.

The Meme That Launched It

Randy Orton strikes again ? pic.twitter.com/995fYPFEuH

-- Pro Wrestling Finesse (@ProWFinesse) August 2, 2021

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Reddit Noticed Too

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He Called It

Randy Orton wasn't playing around when he posted this. ? pic.twitter.com/eS3dwmRXCi

-- Fiending For Followers !! (@Fiend4FoIIows) August 2, 2021

Wow, Randy Orton has done it again. pic.twitter.com/Wx4VYij9He

-- Fiending For Followers !! (@Fiend4FoIIows) July 31, 2021

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Run!

The next person who gotta feud with Randy Orton pic.twitter.com/fXsHsI5SyM

-- Wrestlelamia (@wrestlelamia) August 1, 2021

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Except That It Kind of Is

This Randy Orton thing is no joke. ? pic.twitter.com/LvZKXZpBuU

-- ChanMan (@ChandranTheMan) August 2, 2021

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Living Up to the Name

Who else has Randy Orton beat up or insulted on TV in the past year? Christian, Big Show, Mark Henry, Bray Wyatt, now Flair, all gone from WWE. He truly is the legend killer. https://t.co/H03hcVtJhU

-- Jason Solomon (@solomonster) August 2, 2021

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My Leg!

Nobody:

Randy Orton putting Big Show, Matt Hardy, Christian, Mark Henry, and Ric Flair outta WWE: pic.twitter.com/dkRTldjNPB

-- Public Enemies Podcast (@TheEnemiesPod) August 2, 2021

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A Handshake Most Sinister

Vince: "I'll send more ppl over there, trust me"

*Calls Randy Orton" pic.twitter.com/F1FnLdIdaU

-- R.? (@RhianRozek) August 2, 2021

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