On this week's edition of SmackDown, Randy Orton threw the perfect kind of gasoline on what was quickly becoming a smoldering storyline. Orton, who's scheduled to face John Cena at Backlash for the WWE Championship, is bringing the fire in this angle. And after the disappointing ending to WrestleMania 41, someone needed to.

There's plenty of history between The Viper and Big Match John. They both entered WWE in 2002 after training together in Ohio Valley Wrestling. They have engaged in unforgettable battles in the past, and they are essentially linked by history. Orton perfectly played off that background during this promo. But he was doing more than spinning yarns; he was saving Cena's historic 17th world championship reign.

Randy Orton Unexpectedly Plays Babyface Perfectly to Get WWE Fans Excited About Backlash

Orton Rekindled Interest in Cena's Heel Run

The WWE Universe still has a bad taste in its mouth following Cena's confusing win over Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41. The entire scenario was awkward, and it hindered the fans' ability to really enjoy this current title reign by Evil Cena. Orton's babyface promo set all that aside, and got the fans focusing on their clash for the ages. Randy Orton has delivered several stellar promos, but this one seemed to be the perfect one at a much-needed time. As he evoked memories of the long journey he and Cena have shared, he also seized the opportunity to really sell to the crowd what a bad guy the WWE Champion really is.

Orton started off the promo just by saying Cena's name, and the crowd immediately began booing. Once he got the people to that point, The Apex Predator did not hold back. He described the once-Leader of Cenation as a phony - someone who only acted like a hero to get kids to buy his merchandise. Orton said that, over the years, Cena has done everything possible to protect his bottom line and that he only looks out for himself.

After that, Orton talked about being in his hometown of St. Louis for this battle, and how he was going to punt John Cena's "Lego-shaped head" right through the Gateway Arch. It was a classic way to finish things off, and it got the fans much more involved than they had been previously.

Why John Cena Needs Randy Orton Right Now

His Tainted Title Win Left Many Fans Confused and Disinterested

It's doubtful that John Cena will drop his championship so soon after WrestleMania, but Randy Orton got the crowd's disbelief suspended just enough to think The Viper might actually win. With fans' attention swayed by a disappointing ending to WrestleMania 41 and The Rock adding fuel to the fire with his controversial explanations for his absence from the event, the real victim could have been Cena's historic final run. Once again, this is a case of a veteran star knowing how to make the best out of a bad situation.

Coming out of 'Mania, Cena has had very little momentum. The crowd may boo him, but that's only because they know that they're supposed to. It's not like they have much invested in what should have been a titanic heel turn. With just one face-to-face and one solitary promo, Orton changed all that. He reminded us of the history between him and Cena and just how special this match will be. If we were to nitpick, the only criticism could be that this match is coming too soon during Cena's final run, but it's probably for the best.

Randy Orton's extra shot of emotion really sold the Backlash match as something WWE fans must see. And in the long run, this short-term program is the perfect re-launch for John Cena's heel persona.