Randy Orton, has left an incredible mark on the world of professional wrestling. With a career span of over two decades along with several world championship reigns, he is regarded as one of the best wrestlers of all time.
Join us as we explore the origins of Orton’s wrestling career, highlighting the pivotal moments in the ring and celebrating his accomplishments in the industry. Nicknamed, “The Legend Killer,” Orton’s left his mark well outside the ring as well.
When did Randy Orton first start to wrestle?
Randy’s wrestling debut took place in 2000 at the Mid-Missouri Wrestling Association-Southern Illinois Conference Wrestling in St. Louis, Missouri. Under the guidance of his father Bob Orton Jr. and the promotion’s staff, Orton honed his skills. There, he shared the ring with the likes of Ace Strange and Mark Bland. He also had a stint as a referee with World Organized Wrestling (WOW), where his uncle, Barry Orton, worked.
In the same year, Orton signed a deal with the then-World Wrestling Federation and embarked on the next phase of his career at, Ohio Valley Wrestling in Louisville, Kentucky.
During his time at OVW, he faced talented wrestlers like Rico Constantino and John Cena and even won the OVW Hardcore Championship twice. As he continued to impress in OVW, Orton started making appearances in WWF house shows. He faced established stars like Billy Gunn and Chuck Palumbo there.
In 2002, his hard work and dedication paid off when he was promoted to the WWF’s main roster, joining the renowned OVW Class of 2002, which also included Cena, Brock Lesnar, and Dave Bautista.
Looking at Randy Orton’s legacy and career
Randy Orton, the 14-time WWE World Champion, with his mentor, Triple H, holds the third-most World Championships of all time. Orton has won the Royal Rumble twice (in 2009 and 2017) and the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 33 in 2017.
Beyond his World Championships, Orton’s achievements span various WWE titles, including a Money in the Bank victory. Furthermore, his current Raw Tag Team title reign with Riddle as RkBro stands as one of the highlights of his career.
Outside the ring, Orton has also ventured into acting. He appeared in films like “That’s What I Am” (2011), “12 Rounds 2: Reloaded” (2013), “The Condemned 2” (2015), “Changeland” (2019), and “Long Shot” (2019). These roles showcase his ability to captivate audiences beyond the wrestling arena.
In addition to his acting endeavors, Orton’s list of accolades continues to grow. He earned recognitions like Wrestler of the Year in 2009 and 2010 and earned the top spot on PWI 500’s list of the best singles wrestlers in 2008. This highlights his sustained excellence in the industry. Furthermore, he holds numerous Slammy Awards and Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards, further solidifying his status as one of wrestling’s most extraordinary talents.
