5 Times When Randy Orton Destroyed WWE Superstars With His Punt Kick
Randy Orton is widely recognized for his signature move, the RKO, but his Punt Kick is arguably even more brutal, as seen in these instances.
Randy Orton is known for having one of the best finishing moves in professional wrestling history with the RKO, but there’s no denying that his Punt Kick is even more devastating. When executed, it has a significant impact and looks spectacular. WWE often uses this move to write people out of storylines, making it even more impactful.
Although the Punt Kick was banned for several years, Orton reintroduced it during his feud with Edge and has used it occasionally since then. The Punt Kick always garners a massive reaction, but it’s especially shocking when it catches someone off guard, causing significant damage.
5) Triple H
Throughout his career, Randy Orton has used this move on various opponents, but the one he delivered to Triple H at WrestleMania 24 was particularly devastating. During a high-stakes match at the year’s biggest event, Orton used the Punt Kick to secure a victory and retain his WWE Title.
At a crucial moment when Triple H was about to defeat John Cena with a Pedigree, Orton struck with a mighty Punt Kick. It was a surprising and visually stunning moment that had a significant impact.
4) Shane McMahon
Shane McMahon has never hesitated to take on challenging moves in his career, and that included receiving the Punt Kick. While it wasn’t a death-defying leap, he brutally took the move during Orton’s feud with the McMahon family.
This was one of the most effective executions of Randy’s move, and Shane’s selling of it made the moment even more intense.
3) Ric Flair
Regrettably, the legendary Ric Flair fell victim to Randy Orton’s Punt Kick on three occasions in his career. Once during a match, once in a parking lot brawl after retiring and returning, and recently when the Viper turned on him.
All three instances were equally devastating and unexpected, each telling a unique story. Inside the cage, Batista had to watch helplessly as Flair suffered the blow. The most recent kick, however, fueled Orton’s villainous persona due to Flair’s recent health issues.
2) Christian
Christian and Randy Orton had a memorable rivalry for the World Heavyweight Championship, during which the Punt Kick was banned. Nevertheless, in 2020, Christian experienced the full force of the Punt Kick.
Christian returned to add depth to Orton’s feud with Edge, and the Punt Kick followed a low blow from Ric Flair. This was a shocking moment, especially considering Christian’s retirement due to concussion issues.
1) Edge
Randy Orton shocked the world when he decided to bring back the Punt Kick for Edge. Since the move had not been seen in years, fans assumed Edge would evade the blow.
However, that wasn’t the case. Orton executed the move perfectly, catching everyone off guard. Because Edge had been absent for so long due to a career-ending neck injury, the surprise factor was even more intense, making this moment a major shocker.
Special Mention:
– Vince McMahon
Undoubtedly, the most devastating Punt Kick delivered by Randy Orton was to Vince McMahon’s head. The WWE Chairman rarely gets physically involved in matches anymore, so it’s a massive surprise whenever he does.
The impact of this move was evident, and Orton’s inner conflict, portrayed as if something else was driving him to do it despite knowing it was a terrible idea, added to the drama. When the Punt Kick connected, Vince sold it perfectly, enhancing the overall situation.
