10 Fluke Wrestling Wins That Actually Worked
7. Randy Orton Strikes On His Debut (Vs Hardcore Holly)
As a former United States Marine who was dishonourably discharged - if not for his status as the third generation of the legendary Orton lineage - it would be hard to imagine WWE seeing this as a wise acquisition.
After cutting his teeth in Mid-Missouri as a dry run towards it, Randy Orton soon found himself in the WWE developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling by 2001, rubbing shoulders with the pre-superstardom likes of Batista, John Cena and Brock Lesnar.
By 2002, Orton had learnt all he could in OVW and was given the bump up to the big-time, debuting against Hardcore Holly on the April 25th episode of Smackdown! Orton showcased his impressive athleticism - with a spectacular cross-body off the top rope - and hinted at his natural aptitude for the business between the ropes. He would go on to score an inside cradle victory over Holly that set up a programme between the two which began to plant Orton in the forefront of the fan's minds.
Before long, Orton would be drafted to Raw, only to suffer the first of his many shoulder injuries.
He would return to join the stable Evolution and the rest, as they say, is history.
His lucky break against the wily Holly resonated with the fans and they were here for the ride (or rise) from that moment on.