Randy Orton
Randy Orton, the Viper, the Legend Killer, the youngest wrestler ever to win the World Heavyweight Championship; Randy Orton is one of the biggest stars of the WWE. Born to the wrestling legend and WWE Hall of Famer “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Randy practically has WWE written in his genetic code. His grandfather was the late, the Big O, Bob Orton; his uncle Barry O Orton. Randy was five when he saw his Father knock out the legendary Paul Orndorff at the first ever Wrestlemania and dreamed of being a wrestler ever since. During his childhood he was surrounded by some of the all time wrestling greats, including Greg Valentine and the titanic Andre the Giant. It is no wonder that this third-generation wrestler has become one of the greatest in the WWE of his generation.
Randy Orton before Wrestling
Although he always dreamed of being a wrestler, Randy went to Hazelwood Central High School and was an accomplished amateur wrestler. On leaving he enrolled in the Marine Corp but, this ended in a dishonourable discharge for going AWOL twice. After 38 days in the brig, Randy was allowed to resume civilian life and pursue his wrestling career.
Randy Orton in WWE
Randy went with his father Bob Orton to a local WWE event and was granted a tryout for the company. Successful, he then went to train at Ohio Valley Wrestling, the developmental training ground for WWE. In 2002 he made his official WWE debut on the Smackdown brand. Randy would feud with the hardcore legend Mick Folley and after beating Mick in a brutal hardcore match, would acquire the moniker and purpose of the Legend Killer.
Evolution
Randy became a member of Evolution and quickly began to make his name alongside the likes of Dave Batista and Ric Flair. It was during his time in this stable that at the age of 24 Randy became the youngest ever World Heavyweight Champion, taking the record from Brock Lesnar who won it at 25. This immediately led to a split with his former stable and an ensuing feud would erupt.
Randy Orton and the Undertaker
On his mission to destroy the living legends of the WWE, Randy decided to go after the greatest of them all, the Undertaker, at Wrestlemania no less, in an attempt to end the Undertakers Wrestlemania winning streak. Despite faring well leading up to the match, taunting and assaulting the Undertaker wherever he could, Randy failed to dispatch this particular legend, despite interference by his father Bob Orton. The Undertaker was victorious and retained his legendary Wrestlemania winning streak. This feud continued for 9 months with Randy beating the Undertaker with the help of his father at Summerslam and in a handicap Casket Match. However, the Undertaker would return and eventually lay both Randy and Bob Orton to rest, in a Hell in a Cell match.
Randy Orton suspended for Smoking Marijuana Backstage
On the 4th of April 2006, Randy Orton was suspended for 60 days from the WWE for unprofessional conduct. On screen an injury storyline was concocted to cover the suspension; it later emerged that Randy had been caught smoking marijuana backstage at a WWE event. Randy is quoted as saying, “my behaviour was unbecoming of a champion, which is what I will be when I return,” and return he did, with a legend the equal of the Undertaker’s in his sights once more, that of Hulk Hogan.
Randy Orton vs. Hulk Hogan
Randy would engage in a malicious campaign to taunt and beguile Hulk Hogan into a match. His schemes also included flirting and charming Hulk Hogan’s daughter Brooke Hogan, then only 18. This succeeded in getting Orton the match he wanted, Legend vs. Legend Killer at Summerslam, however, as with the Undertaker, Orton failed in his attempt to kill Hogan’s legend, this put an end to the feud.
Rated RKO
Edge would enlist Randy to aid him in his quest to defeat the newly reformed D – Generation X, the team consisting of Shawn Michaels and Triple H, who had cost Edge the WWE Championship on many an occasion. Having lost the title previously to Triple H, Randy joined Edge to form, Rated RKO and had a very successful run together, defeating DX and becoming the Tag Team Champions. After Triple H’s legitimate injury, Michaels teamed with John Cena and defeated RKO for the Tag Team Championship. After several defeats at the hands of Michaels and Cena, Edge and Orton broke their allegiance and fought others and themselves for the WWE title.
Randy Orton The Legacy
In more recent history Randy has teamed with other third generation superstars, Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase, in the stable known as the Legacy. These three young superstars dominated Monday Night Raw and have feuded with many wrestlers. They have enjoyed numerous title successes including Orton being the WWE Champion for extended periods and Tag Team Gold for his two underlings. However, Randy’s overbearing attitude eventually became too much for Ted and Cody, who sought to come out of the shadow of Orton. After numerous altercations, Orton eventually defeated his former stablemates in a Triple Threat Match at Wrestlemania 26, ending the stable known as Legacy.
Randy Orton present and future
Randy has recently been battling in the top tier of the Monday Night Raw brand, competing against the likes of John Cena, Edge, Chris Jericho and Shaemus for the WWE Championship. After beating Shamus at Summerslam, though only by disqualification meaning Shaemus kept the title, Randy has recaptured the WWE Championship at the WWE Night of Champions pay per view event, in which Randy beat the aforementioned wrestlers in a Six Pack Challenge match. This is the seventh time Randy has won the WWE Championship and is looking for this reign to be his greatest. It looks like there is nothing but good times ahead for the now fan favourite and new WWE Champion Randy Orton.