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Wrestlemania XXVII: Randy Orton Defeats C.M. Punk

The announcers pointed out at the start of this one that Randy Orton was limping less noticeably than he was last week after C.M. Punk hit him in the knee with a wrench, but his right knee was still heavily taped.

Orton got off to a quick start, taking the fight outside of the ring, but when Orton tried to throw Punk into the steel ringsteps, Punk went up and over the stairs, and then kicked the stairs into Orton's injured knee when the Viper gave chase.

Punk immediately took advantage, pummeling the injured right leg of Orton with a series of moves. Punk went for the Go To Sleep, but Orton countered his way out and attempted to hit the RKO, but Punk countered his way out of that, and Orton was down again. Punk then went to the top rope, took too long, and wound up getting knocked onto the top turnbuckle by Orton. Orton then climbed the ropes and hit Punk with a top-rope superplex that got him a near fall.

Punk went outside the ring to catch his breath, and when Orton gave chase, Punk pulled him onto his back, racking his knee across the steel ring post a couple of times, and even breaking out the Bret Hart-style ringpost figure four to work Orton's knee a little more. Punk continued to assault the right knee of Randy Orton, but a series of headbutts allowed Orton to break free temporarily.

Orton then took to the offense, hitting a couple of clotheslines and a power slam, among other moves. Punk fought back with a series of kicks, and then locked on the Anaconda Vice in the center of the ring. Despite having a bad leg, Orton managed to roll himself and Punk into the ropes, forcing Punk to break the hold.

After getting to his feet, Orton took Punk to the ringpost on the apron, and followed that up with the suspended DDT. He was setting up for the RKO, but relented. . .in favor of attempting to set Punk up for the punt to the head. However, just like this past Monday on Raw, Orton's knee gave out on him, and he was unable to complete the move, crumpling to the mat in a heap. Punk approached Orton, who once again went for the RKO, but Punk countered by pushing Orton off.

Punk went to the top rope for. . .something. . .and as he flew across the ring, Orton got to his feet again and finally hit the RKO for the three-count.

Honestly, I still think Punk could have used the victory more, but Orton winning it isn't too egregious. He conquered the entire new Nexus, and I'm assuming that this closes the book on the Orton/Punk feud. The Super RKO was pretty impressive as well.

Winner: Randy Orton via pinfall after Super RKO

Photographs by Micah Taylor, clairity, and Fibonacci Blue used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.