The Viper made a resilient WWE return after over a year of absence at Survivor Series 2023 after a grave back injury. The WWE Universe was waiting with bated breath to see Randy Orton back in his boots and resume his incredible action on the roster. Last November marked an auspicious day as Orton stormed through the ring, looking more physically imposing than ever. Although CM Punk‘s return on the same night took away some spotlight from him, the shine in his eyes didn’t go unnoticed by the crowd present there.

The Randy Orton before and after the Survivor Series was outright two different breeds. Can he rip the Ring General off his World Heavyweight Championship crown? The WWE World Heavyweight champion is embarking on his first title defense. WWE has paved a long path to building up Gunther and his prowess. So it doesn’t look likely that he may fail at his first hurdle since becoming world champion. Nevertheless, a noted wrestling insider suggested that it would be foolish to rule out the chances of The Apex Predator.

Can Randy Orton defy the odds to usurp Gunther at Bash in Berlin?

Currently, the Viper is eying Gunther’s title as the duo is slated to butt heads at the upcoming German PLE, Bash in Berlin. While it seems Gunther is in his full power coming out fresh from a highly successful SummerSlam, Randy Orton is not the one to be overlooked. The tension between the two started brewing when The Ring General toppled Orton in the King of the Ring finals to earn his championship shot at SummerSlam. Orton strongly advocated for a rematch on the grounds of a controversial finish in the initial bout. With WWE rapidly approaching the next big PLE, analysis continues to surface on both stars’ strengths and weaknesses. Moreover, each competitor’s chance to win is also explored by fans and insiders alike.

Chiming in the ongoing buzz, Dave LaGreca of Busted Open Radio noted, ”Gunther did a lot for the Intercontinental Championship. But when you talk about credibility onto a title, think about what Randy Orton could do for that title if he’s holding that championship as well. So I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion that Gunther is going to win. I think there is a big chance that Randy Orton could… I feel like too this is a different Randy Orton.”

Emphasizing how he evolved as a performer, he continued, “Watching his A&E documentary about how he really didn’t appreciate what he had at the time. Like he wasn’t the type of a champion like a John Cena that’s going to be doing the talk show circuit. He’s not going to be that fan-friendly type of champion. But I think kinda now he is. It almost feels like this is a brand new Randy Orton.”

Nevertheless, the reverse also applies, as Orton is not looking down on his opponent.

Orton and Gunther praise each other’s talent ahead of the big title challenger

There is no doubt about Gunther’s incredible path to the top in WWE. Accrediting his immense dedication and unmatched perseverance, Randy Orton said there is none other than Gunther in the company. He is unique in all ways. Orton feels he is pretty seasoned and fine-tuned for his age. His wrestling style includes diversity and a lot of physicality. His persona, strength, and mic skills make him a special talent who could carry the company on his back in the future.

On the other hand, Gunther also has a lot of respect for Orton and deems him an amazing talent. But the Ring General believes his opponent would have been in a much better place if he hadn’t wasted his potential.

What’s your take on Randy Orton’s winning probability against Gunther at Bash in Berlin? Let us know in the comments.