The Viper’s Deadliest Strike
Throughout 2010, Randy Orton and John Cena had a blood feud for the ages. But the top physical impact of the year occurred during their "I Quit" match buildup at Breaking Point. Orton, frustrated by losing his WWE Title, snapped. He hit the RKO on Cena, handcuffed him to the ropes, and then—to the horror of the audience—lined up for the Punt Kick. wwe raw ultimate impact 2010 top
In the Ultimate Impact video game, this move results in an instant knockout. In reality, the visual of Cena bleeding from the mouth (or selling the concussion so well) while handcuffed, unable to fight back, was the rawest, most visceral image of 2010. The Viper’s Deadliest Strike Throughout 2010, Randy Orton
Before we break down the top contenders for the most impactful moments, we must understand the setting. By 2010, WWE Raw had moved away from the TV-14 rating. Blood was rare, chair shots to the head were banned, and the "Guest Host" era was in full swing (thanks to Donald Trump purchasing the show in 2009). He hit the RKO on Cena, handcuffed him
However, restriction bred creativity. The "Ultimate Impact" of 2010 wasn't about blood; it was about betrayal, broken alliances, and the birth of a new power structure. The Nexus was the name of the game, and the WWE Championship was the prize.
While mostly a SmackDown star, The Deadman appeared on Raw in September 2010 to confront Kane. The impact? He chokeslammed Kane through the stage. For the Raw roster, it was a reminder that even when you think you’re safe in the main event, Hell’s Gate is always open.