10 Things WWE Wants You To Forget About Randy Orton
These facts are outta nowhere!
Randy Orton has been known by many names in WWE. The Legend Killer. The Viper. The Apex Predator. His career has spanned over 15 years on the main roster, and he’s been involved in big feuds with nearly every top name in the business during that time. From Triple H, to Hulk Hogan, to Brock Lesnar, to John Cena (approximately 700 times), he’s taken on all the best.
He’s also one of the most decorated champions in the history of the company. There’s a lot of information and facts about him out there, but there are quite a few things that WWE wouldn't like you to talk about.
Unlike his contemporary in Cena, Orton doesn’t have a squeaky clean image. A fair amount of controversy has followed him throughout his career, and he’s been known to take part in some pretty mean pranks, and...well, he's been known to be kind of an a**hole at times. Those factors probably play into why he hasn’t always received a big huge push throughout his time in WWE, and sometimes feels like an afterthought by the time WrestleMania rolls around.
This year things are different. Orton won the Royal Rumble and will be involved in a top Mania match. Management once again sees him as a top player in the company, and likely has big things planned for his future. But for now, let’s delve into his past...
10. He Was A D**k
On the Evolution of a Predator DVD that WWE released, they had various wrestling personalities talk about the “old Randy” and how he could be a pain to be around. It seems that his success and pedigree immediately went to his head and he broke into the business with a bad attitude.
Unlike many other wrestlers, he didn’t work the independent scene for years. He's the son of Bob Orton Jr., and is a good looking, athletic dude. That was enough to land him a developmental deal.
One of the wrestlers he rubbed the wrong way in the beginning was John Cena, who straight up labeled the Randy from that era as a “dick.” That reputation followed him onto the main roster. In a 2016 Sports Illustrated interview with Jonathan Coachman, he said that Orton was a “loose cannon” and that you would never know what kind of mood he was going to be in.
Amy Weber took a more direct, Cena-like route by calling him a “dirtbag”, former Raw interviewer Rochelle Loewen said he was “an animal” after he reportedly poured sun tan oil on her belongings, because she didn’t know his name when they first met. And in a YouShoot interview, Maria Kanellis said Randy could “sometimes” be a tool. Guess it's better than being one all the time.
While some wrestlers seem to think that Randy has turned things around a bit from a personality standpoint, it sounds like most are in agreement that he was a straight up a**hole in his early career.