10 Greatest Pure WWE Wrestlers

Being a second or third generation superstar doesn’t guarantee you much in wrestling, and there are plenty of sons of legendary figures who haven’t gone on to do much. What it does get you is a foot in the door, and the rest is mostly down to you.

Cowboy Bob Orton was a high quality heel; Randy Orton, though, is one of the true superstars of the century, to date. One look would tell you that he’s made for the business, and he came to OVW at just the right time, learning his craft alongside John Cena, Shelton Benjamin, and more.

Debuting on the main roster, pressure and expectation was on Orton from the off, and for the most part, he soared. Steeped in the business, he learned all he could from legends like Ric Flair and Mick Foley. His rise to the top wasn’t without its dips - an ill advised babyface run early on, for example - but Orton quickly became a pillar of the company.

What’s wild is that, 20 years after debuting, he has basically never been hotter. Teaming with Riddle, hitting RKOs outta nowhere, Orton has settled into an elder statesman role. While he’s on the long term injury list, he’ll come back, against all logic, bigger than ever.