We all owe Randy Orton an apology.

Especially over the last few years, all the talk about Orton is that he “never loses,” “never puts anybody over” and is “always involved in the World Championship picture.” I’ve been guilty of it, and you probably have been, too.

But we were wrong. Big time.

Orton may not be at the bottom of the mid-card or in the midst of an incredibly long losing streak, but the notion that he kills careers needs to be thrown in the garbage can. It just isn’t true.

Despite the fact that he’s still only 31 years old, Orton has stepped up into his veteran role in a huge way.

Let’s just take a look at 2011 to see why.

Aside from Orton’s single-handed destruction of the New Nexus back around WrestleMania, Orton has spent most of the year helping other wrestlers get over.

Though it came with controversy, Orton lost to The Miz at the Royal Rumble, and following his move to SmackDown in the 2011 WWE Draft, he ignited a four-month rivalry with Christian that sent Captain Charisma to the highest point of his WWE career.

Had The Miz beaten a top star at a “Big Four” pay-per-view prior to that victory over Orton? No.

Had Christian been involved in a World Title feud in the WWE before his lengthy rivalry with Orton? Absolutely not.

Without Orton, The Miz wouldn’t have built up enough heat to face John Cena at WrestleMania 27, and Christian wouldn’t have been able to turn heel or do the unthinkable and actually compete for a World Title in the WWE.

But Orton didn’t just stop there.

After moving on from his feud with Christian, The Viper found himself engaged in two separate fierce rivalries with two of SmackDown’s top heels—one with Cody Rhodes that was largely relegated to TV and one with Mark Henry that involved the World Heavyweight Championship.

Though Orton did win his feud with Rhodes in the long run, he also helped put his former Legacy comrade over in a big way. Rhodes picked up a victory over Orton on Monday Night RAW and “bagged” Orton with his paper bag, and this was one of those times when I thought to myself, “Man, Rhodes really is ready to be a main-eventer.”

It hasn’t happened as of yet, but in due time, Rhodes will be competing for world titles. And he’ll have Orton to thank for helping him get there.

Rhodes won’t be the only one sending Orton a “Thank You” card, however. Henry will, too.

Remember when Henry was a joke of a babyface who actually ran in front of the Nexus when he was supposed to be chasing them and jobbed to Sheamus in three-minute matches?

Yeah, well those days are long gone. "The World’s Strongest Man" has been running through the SmackDown roster since moving to the brand, but it wasn’t until his feud with Orton that he reached the pinnacle of his career.

At Night of Champions, Henry defeated Orton to win the World Heavyweight Championship. Clean. No B.S. No interference.

Henry would then go on to successfully defend his title against Orton at Hell in a Cell. Clean. No B.S. No interference.

So, Orton “never puts anybody over?” Well, if you really think that, then apparently you and I are not watching the same WWE product.

Orton may have had a knack for being protected in the past and hardly ever losing clean, but that’s exactly where that knack is now: in the past.

The Viper has taken on his new role that long-time veterans are supposed to have, one that helps get other stars over so that the WWE can have more guys who can be taken seriously as main-eventers.

I don’t think Christian, Henry or Rhodes ever would have gotten to be the hated, main event-level heels that they are now if a big-named star didn’t help them get there.

Yet, that’s exactly what a guy who supposedly never puts anyone over did.

Orton is not an ego-maniacal, washed-up has-been who’s 10 years past his prime, but still wants to thrust himself into the WWE’s top angles. He’s one of the best overall stars in the company who is in the prime of his career, but is still willing to make others look good at the expense of himself.