randy orton - Two weeks after Armageddon, Orton agreed to represent an injured Booker T in the fifth match of his 'best of seven' series with Chris Benoit over the WWE United States Championship. As Booker T had won three of the matches already fought, Orton only needed to beat Benoit once to win the series for Booker. Orton lost to Benoit following botched interference from Booker T's wife Sharmell. He faced Benoit the following week, but lost once again after Orlando Jordan, interfered on Benoit's behalf. On the January 13, 2006, episode of SmackDown!, Orton defeated Benoit, thus winning the United States Championship for Booker T and finishing the series four-three. The following week saw him face Orlando Jordan in a match because Orlando had interfered with Booker and Sharmell's celebration by attacking him in the middle of the ring. Orton won the match by a distraction from Booker and Sharmell which allowed him to hit the RKO for the win. The following week, Orton lost to Benoit in a no holds barred match. Orton took part in the 2006 Royal Rumble match on January 29, 2006. Despite entering at number thirty, Orton was eliminated by the second entrant, Rey Mysterio. On the following SmackDown!, Orton challenged Mysterio to put his title shot on the line at No Way Out 2006, with Mysterio accepting his challenge. In the weeks preceding No Way Out, Orton made several controversial remarks about Eddie Guerrero. At No Way Out, Orton defeated Mysterio, earning himself a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 22. However, on the following episode of SmackDown!, General Manager Theodore Long readded Mysterio to the match, turning it into a triple threat match between Orton, Mysterio and World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle. Orton protested the decision but was told by Long to accept it or lose his own shot at the title. On April 2, 2006, at WrestleMania 22, Angle lost his title after Orton was pinned by Mysterio.