11 Most Important Wrestlers Of The Ruthless Aggression Era
5. Randy Orton
Randy Orton is one of the greatest success stories from the Ruthless Aggression Era. Training with Jim Cornette in a stellar class at OVW in 2001, Orton debuted on SmackDown in 2002, showing that he was gifted in the ring, but a little dull as a character.
By 2003, Randy had been grouped with Triple H and Ric Flair, learning from the best how to be hated by the audience, and Orton excelled.
By mid-2004, Orton was enjoying a lengthy title reign as Intercontinental Champion, being one of the last wrestlers to make the belt mean something. His ability in the ring and charisma as the Legend Killer won over the crowd, and Randy was turned into a face after winning the World Heavyweight Championship, becoming the youngest World Champion in WWE history (a record which still stands to this day).
While his face turn was executed too quickly, stunting Randy’s growth as a top-level superstar, Orton would be a bonafide star throughout the rest of the Ruthless Aggression Era.