Why Randy Orton May Never Break Major John Cena WWE Record

· The Fresno Bee

Following John Cena's historic 17th World Championship victory at “WrestleMania 41,” discussion has turned to whether anyone on the current WWE roster can surpass the new record. While Randy Orton stands as the closest active competitor with 14 reigns, WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash believes “The Viper” is unlikely to chase the milestone.

Speaking on his “Kliq This” podcast, Nash addressed Orton's position in the history books. He noted that while Orton has the talent and longevity to easily capture four more titles, his personal mindset may prevent it from happening.

"I don't know why they haven't used Randy because when you look at Randy's body of work as the youngest champion and how long he's been there. He has 14 world championships. It would take nothing for him to become an 18-time champion and surpass 17, but Randy has never been a mark," Nash said.

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Nash elaborated that Orton's lack of ego regarding his spot on the card is both a blessing and a “drawback” when it comes to breaking records. Unlike other top stars who might politically maneuver for championships and accolades, Nash argued that Orton is content with his financial security and work-life balance.

"That's probably Randy's biggest drawback. Randy is not a f***ing mark. Randy just wants to get paid and hang out with his wife and kids. ‘If you don't have a spot for me, but you're still going to pay me and I can sit at home and go to the gym in my house, I'm cool,'" Nash explained.

Cena captured his record-breaking 17th title by defeating Cody Rhodes at “WrestleMania 41,” officially moving past Ric Flair's long-standing record of 16 recognized reigns. Orton, who has been a contemporary of Cena for two decades, remains at 14 reigns, tied with Triple H for the third-most in WWE history.

While Orton is currently active and set to appear at the 2026 “Royal Rumble” in Saudi Arabia, his schedule has been less championship-focused in recent years. Whether WWE decides to reignite a title push for “The Apex Predator” remains to be seen, but according to Nash, the push won’t be coming from Orton himself.

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This story was originally published December 16, 2025 at 1:23 PM.