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Randy Orton: The Viper Speaks

Carol — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 00:36:32 +0000

WWE’s top superstar chats about his title shot at SummerSlam, life on the road, how he’s changed and his upcoming movie role

Last year, I spoke with WWE superstar MVP. During the interview, our conversation turned to who was the best worker in the WWE right now. I said, “Randy Orton,” and MVP stopped talking. After a moment of silence, he said, “There isn’t anybody better right now, is there? He does everything perfectly.”

In a business stuffed with major egos and competitive fire, that is perhaps the best praise you can earn. A year later, nothing has changed. Orton, a third-generation wrestler (His grandfather Bob Orton Sr. and his father, “Cowboy” Bob Orton, both performed) is, in many people’s opinion, still the best worker in the WWE. Well, OK, a few things have changed. For years, Orton, nicknamed “The Viper,” was the greatest heel working. He was a nasty snake in the grass with piercing blue eyes and a demeanor that screamed “evil,” and the crowd loved to hate him. But as with Triple H and a slew of vicious heels before him, that hate eventually turned to respect, and Orton was suddenly a fan favorite. This Sunday, Aug. 15, he heads into his WWE Championship match at SummerSlam (arguably the biggest WWE pay-per-view outside of WrestleMania) in Los Angeles against current heel champion Sheamus as a babyface. A ruthless, edgy babyface seeking his sixth championship belt in six years, but one nonetheless.

Recently, the usually private Orton granted us a rare interview, via phone, to discuss his upcoming match, how he and the business have changed, and much more.

MSN TV: Where are you right now?
Randy Orton: I’m home, briefly. St. Louis.

Can you talk about the travel for the WWE? How brutal is it, especially now that you have a child? [Orton's wife gave birth to a daughter in 2008.]
It’s hard. Any of us with family, it’s hard to be away so much. But the toughest part of travel is that it’s harder on your body than performing in the ring. Renting cars, driving 1,000 miles a week — which is what we average — the airports, which is five or six times a week … it’s tough. If you have a couple of good books and a computer, you can get through it. But with us taking all of the falls we do in the ring and landing on our back, dozens of times a night, all year round, and then sitting in a rental car or an airplane after a show, that is really the hardest part. You aren’t really able to wind down and get flat. There is no time to recover. The most important things when taking care of yourself, if you’re a body-builder or anybody in fitness, is diet, training and recovery. We have the diet down. We can make do with McDonald’s all day and figure out what’s healthy and get by. We all get to the gym. But we can’t recover, so we’re missing one of the key elements to keep your body in tip-top condition, and that is why we get hurt.

Being a third-generation superstar, you must have gotten a lot of advice from your dad and granddad about the business. Is it true your dad didn’t want you to wrestle?
The travel was different when they were wrestling. They used to drive around to territories, and then my dad settled in the WWE. There were a lot less airplanes, but they drove a lot more. I don’t know if it’s different. What’s worse or what’s better: Driving or sitting in an airport waiting for a plane? It takes four hours for an hour flight.

They just gave me tips and hints for living out of a suitcase. As far as the wrestling, my dad didn’t tell me “no.” That was my mom. [Laughs] My dad just tried to steer me away from it. I was in the Marine Corps for a year and a half, and that didn’t work out too well and I wanted to wrestle. At that point, he said, “OK, OK. I’ll call Vince McMahon.” So we had a tryout in late 1999, and the rest was history.

You are still the youngest superstar to ever hold the world championship. You were 24 when you did it. Looking back, can you talk about how you were then versus how you are now, six titles later?
A lot has changed. The biggest thing, for me, is my confidence in myself. Whenever I see footage from back then, like that match when I won my first championship, ohhh, it just makes me cringe. That’s kind of how we all are. We all evolve into a better performer, whether it’s on the microphone or in-ring abilities or your charisma or your facials. That last one is big with me. I believe that the audience, especially the TV audiences, you really let them in when you give the camera a chance to see your facials, to see what you’re thinking, and what’s going on in your head. I don’t have any flashy moves that I do. I don’t pick up wrestlers and slam them. I don’t jump off the third turnbuckle onto someone. I just think that if you have energy or emotion behind what you are doing, it doesn’t really matter what you’re doing. So, all of my stuff is pretty basic. And where I’ve come from, with all of my injuries, it’s better and safer to have good facials than an aerial stunt or picking a huge guy up. Usually the younger guys with bodies that don’t break as easily, they tend to learn this the hard way, as I did.

You’ve been a great heel for many years. Now, out of respect for your attitude and ability, fans basically forced you back into a babyface role. I’ve talked to Edge and Triple H, and both say they wanted to be heels forever. How does it feel to go from such a fantastic villain to someone who now gets huge applause?
I am one of those guys, too, like Edge and Hunter, who wanted to be a heel forever. In my mind, as far as how I act, I still am and always will be. It doesn’t matter whether I am heel or babyface, I’ll still be the same character … unless they put a mask on me [Laughs]. I’ve kind of worked myself into a corner, but I see it as a good thing. I got lucky. I am myself, I am Randy Orton. The only downfall is people see me on the street and think I’m a prick. [Laughs]. I’m not! I swear! For some reason, I’m able to come across as screwed-up in the head. It’s turned out to be what I’m good at. But as a babyface, I’m still that same guy. It’s weird to even say that, because I don’t even feel like a babyface.

Yeah, you’re pretty much the same guy …
Yeah, the only difference is I’m up against guys the fans don’t like. And if they put me in there with the wrong guy, I’d get booed. It’s up to the booking, the story lines and what the fans want, really. Around this past WrestleMania 26, the fans really just wanted to start cheering for me. They’d seen me evolve into this character, and I was up against Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes, and it was like, “Yeah, I’d kinda like to see this one guy kick these other two guy’s asses.” And that was a good start to the new direction: beating up two guys that nobody liked. It gave me momentum, and I hope it keeps going.

Well, right now, you are up against another guy the fans hate at SummerSlam for the WWE Championship: WWE Champion Sheamus.
Yeah, with me and Sheamus, the momentum should continue. Although new, Sheamus has got charisma and ability. He’s been pushed to the top very quickly because of it. Besides Brock Lesnar, I can’t think of a guy who’s rose so quickly here.

It looks like you are going to face him, but there is the Miz question. He’s got the Money in the Bank briefcase and therefore can challenge Sheamus anytime he chooses and perhaps become champion before SummerSlam. Do you care who you get?
I guess you are right. I kind of tend to forget about Miz, because he doesn’t seem like much of a threat. [Laughs] Bless his little heart. I just look at him and … yeah, no comment. No comment. I don’t want to bury the guy.

How creatively involved are you in your story lines?
Well, it’s no secret that we have writers. Those writers have to get with us, and they want feedback. Anything that we come up with, they will twist it so it comes off as their original idea, just like any good writer would want to do. From A-Z, as far a story goes, you can say whatever you want, any ideas you have. You can help as much or as little as you want. Whether or not they respond or it goes the way you want it to go, that’s not up to you at all.

As a newish dad, how do you feel about WWE switching to a more PG-rated format?
At first, I wasn’t very happy with the idea. I had just gotten used to that style and the way the story lines were going. But now being a father and keeping an eye on what is on the television, I can totally understand that it’s better for business and better for our fans, too. We have a lot of young viewers, and it’s better all across the board to be PG. There are going to be some people, some older fans, that are upset with that. Well, they can go somewhere else and get their blood. They can watch a 60-year-old man bleed all over each other, if they want. That’s fine. We’ll be displaying other things on our show. You don’t need to bleed on somebody to have a good match. We’ve proven that.

You are going to be in a movie next year, “That’s What I Am.” How was that experience?
It was my first experience on a movie set. I was down in New Orleans for a week. It’s not my movie. I just have three scenes. I don’t want people to get the wrong idea. Definitely go see it; I’m in it! But don’t expect to see me from beginning to end. Ed Harris is the star of the movie. I’ve always been a huge fan of his. So with him in it, I know it’s going to be good. Just to watch him work, to watch him prepare and get himself into character, it was just really, really fun for me. I was a mark. [Laughs]

Last thing: How did you create and start using the RKO? It’s easily the best finishing move in the business right now.
Well, if you ask Diamond Dallas Page that, he’d say I called him for permission and he granted me permission to use that. Because, you know, you got to ask “permission” from old-timers before you use their move, for Christ’s sakes. Anyway, that’s not what happened … I wanted a move that I could hit anybody with, no matter how short, how tall, how fat, whatever. I can hit the Big Show with the RKO. I can hit Rey Mysterio with the RKO. John Laurinaitis, Johnny Ace, used to use the Ace Crusher, which was pretty much the Diamond Cutter, which is where DDP got it. So Johnny Ace is pretty much my boss, besides Vince, and he was helping me out six or seven years ago. He said, “Hell, Randy, why don’t you just use the Ace Crusher?” I said, “What in the hell is that?” And I started playing with it. It’s a variation of a cutter, but I think the key is I can do it to everybody. With the injuries I had sustained so early in my career, this didn’t involve power-bombing a guy after a 30-minute match, you know, having to get a 300-pound guy up on my shoulders. I just jump up, grab his neck and fall. The only time it sucks is when I have to do it on the concrete or the steel grate. That’s not a lot of fun.

Randy on George Lopez’s “Lopez Tonight!”

Carol — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 05:00:15 +0000

I’ve added 223 captures of Randy on Lopez Tonight! from earlier tonight as well as video of Randy’s appearance on the show and the Q & A Twitter interview also.

Gallery Links:
- Non Wrestling Related Televison Captures > 08/10/2010 – Lopez Tonight!
- Non Wrestling Related Televison Captures > 08/10/2010 – Lopez Tonight! Special Twitter Q & A

Randy talks about Wrestlemania XXVI and more

Carol — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 05:02:04 +0000

>> VIEW THE VIDEO CAPTURES <<
World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler Randy Orton chatted with me on Thursday about the big pop culture event “Wrestlemania XXVI.” For the second consecutive year, NBC and WWE will bring the event to network television. The world television premiere airs Saturday at 9 p.m.

“‘Wrestlemania XXVI’ was earlier this year. This Saturday will be basically a recap and the highlights from ‘Wrestlemania XXVI,’” said Orton.

WWE Superstars, such as Orton, John Cena and Triple H entertained a sold-out crowd in March at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

The highlights during the NBC special will feature what turned out to be one of the greatest matches in WWE history.

“Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker was one of the biggest matches of the year. Shawn Michaels of course isn’t with us any longer. He retired, and that was his last match, so if you haven’t seen it, that’s one match you won’t want to miss,” said Orton.

More than 72,000 fans were on their feet throughout the emotional roller coaster of athleticism. The two immortals put on a performance that thrilled the audience and in the end, reduced grown men to tears.

If you’ve watched WWE events, then you know the wrestlers have some size. Orton told me at one point, he could bench press 400 pounds! That’s 3 of me. Wild!

The wrestlers aren’t just strong, they’re also flexible, which helps them with their crazy tricks. I asked Orton what the training is like.

“They have training camp. I was there for a year and a half. I’m a third generation wrestler. I kind of grew up in and out of the ring,” said Orton.

Orton is married and has a 2-year-old daughter. I asked if his family worries about his safety in the ring.

“My wife … we were recently in Detroit for a Pay Per View (event). I dislocated my shoulder. She was right there watching it live, and of course she was terrified. I came backstage and popped it back in. You just kinda live with the pain and keep trucking. I have to put food on the table for my family and clothes on their backs, and this is what I do. And, I really, really love it,” said Orton.

“Wrestlemania XXVI” is Orton’s seventh “Wrestlemania” event.

“I can tell you, it’s the best of the best. I’m very excited about the second year of NBC putting on the ‘Wrestlemania’ highlights,” said Orton.

Don’t miss Orton versus Ted DiBiase versus Cody Rhodes in a Triple Threat match on Saturday.

WWE made history at the University of Phoenix Stadium. “WrestleMania XXVI” became the highest grossing entertainment event ever held at the stadium. A total of 72,219 fans from all 50 states and 26 countries attended the event, outdrawing Super Bowl XLII (71,101 attendance) in the same building.

source: wpxi

Randy wrestles with life on the constant move

Ang — Fri, 21 May 2010 07:59:45 +0000

Randy Orton is a lot like George Clooney’s character in “Up in the Air,” except he travels with wrestling tights instead of designer suits.

As one of the top superstars in World Wrestling Entertainment, Orton spends an average of five days a week on the road, shuffling between airplanes, rental cars, sports arenas and hotels. He’ll be at Joe Louis Arena on Sunday as part of WWE’s “Over the Limit” pay-per-view event, part of an endless tour that’s kept him on the road for the better part of eight years.

Like Clooney’s character, Orton has come to grips with the realities of life in transit, but takes advantage of it where he can. “Airlines, rental car companies, Marriotts, Hiltons, Hyatts, Wyndhams, Sheratons — we have every points card you can imagine,” he says on the phone last week from his St. Louis home during a day off. “It’s pretty funny, actually.”

The cards might be funny, but the nonstop travel can be grueling. Though he was groomed for the business — both his grandfather, Bob Orton Sr., and his father, “Cowboy” Bob Orton, were top grapplers in their day — the 30-year-old Orton says life on the road takes its toll.

“The travel, nowadays, is almost tougher on my body than the actual wrestling,” says Orton, who is married and has a daughter who will turn 2 in July. “Sitting in a rental car and driving yourself at 4 or 5 in the morning, trying to get to the gym on four or five hours of sleep, trying to eat well and stay in shape, not getting sick and taking care of yourself, plus being 100 percent in the ring? It’s hard to complain, you just sort of take it. It’s part of the job.”

An average week sees Orton leaving home late Thursday or early Friday, depending how far he’s traveling, and wrestling in different cities Friday, Saturday and Sunday, driving 200-300 miles in between venues. Mondays are live TV days — Orton is one of the stars of WWE’s “Raw,” which has aired live every Monday since 1993 — which he describes as “always a long, hectic day.” He takes the first flight out Tuesday morning and spends the next few days at home, before repeating the cycle again.

In the ring, Orton is known as “The Viper,” a no-nonsense, slightly psychotic warrior with a hair trigger temper. After an extended stint as one of WWE’s biggest bad guys — or heels, in wrestling terminology — Orton’s character has taken a slight turn toward good in recent months.

“It’s been a really organic transition,” says Orton, who became the youngest World Heavyweight Champion in WWE history when he won the belt at age 24. “It wasn’t something where we told people, hey, this guy’s changing so you better like it. (The fans) turned me into something different. I’m not really a different character, I’m still the same guy that I was last year. I’m not necessarily a babyface” — wrestle-speak for good guy, he sounds disgusted by the word itself — “I’m kind of like a shade of gray.”

Meaning he will still lay out guest stars like Meat Loaf in the ring, like he did recently on TV, and you won’t see him in the stands kissing babies or hugging grandmas. He’s more aggressive than John Cena, the company’s current top babyface, but he plays the heroic role in feuds with bad dudes like Edge, whom Orton will face on Sunday.

In the ring, Orton — who stands 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 245 pounds — has become as known for his cold, steely-eyed glare as he has the tattoo sleeves that cover his arms. He strikes an imposing figure, which is the way he likes it.

“I pride myself on being able to let the people in without saying much,” says Orton. He relays the story of how he recently took out guest host Wayne Brady in the ring, after Brady misread Orton’s glance as an invitation for a handshake.

“It just goes to show, if you misread what Randy Orton’s thinking, look out,” he says, “because you don’t know what to expect from this guy.”

source

WWE Axxess report: Randy Orton answers fan questions

Ang — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 05:19:10 +0000

Halfway through the event, Randy Orton came out for a Q&A. He was nice and funny. It was weird seeing him out of character. He was asked who his hero is. He said his father. He was then asked, “What do you think about Bret Hart being back in the WWE?”

Orton responded: “I think it’s awesome having Bret back. He’s a true hero. I remember as a kid, him and the guys (other superstars) would tease me. I can’t remember why, but I remember Bret chasing me down the hall with a broom (laughs).”

Orton was asked what he would be if he wasn’t a WWE superstar. “Probably an archaeologist or selling gas at a gas station,” he cracked. Randy was asked what he likes to do in his free time. “Well, since I work a lot on my days off, I like to relax and spend time with my wife and kid.”

The next question was whether he gets to go out to places like restaurants or to the market. He laughed and said, “Well, I really don’t do the shopping. That’s my wife’s job.”

The guys in the crowed cheered and the women booed. He laughed and said, “Yeah, its not too bad. I get to take my wife out to dinner, but the fans are pretty respectful…. But I want you fans to know that if you see me out on the streets, you can stop me for an autograph or picture, I don’t mind! I love my fans!!…..but don’t be the creepy stalker fan waiting for me at the airport…It’s weird.” He then thanked the fans and left.

source

Randy Orton takes break from ring to co-star with Ed Harris in ‘Big Red’

Ang — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:01:32 +0000

Shortly after his first day moonlighting as a feature film actor, playing a supporting role in the New Orleans-shot coming-of-age comedy “Big Red,” pro wrestler Randy Orton couldn’t help but admit that he could get used to this whole Hollywood thing.

First of all, there’s no chance that co-star and four-time Oscar nominee Ed Harris will hammer him with a folding chair when he’s looking the other way.

Also, however, the third-generation wrestler — who was in town for “Big Red” for a six-day stretch that ended Sunday (March 21) — said he appreciated the break from the nomadic lifestyle that comes with wrestling for the WWE.

“We were in Denver Friday, we were in San Jose Saturday morning and drove to Freso, wrestled in Fresno Saturday, drove to Bakersfield Saturday night, wrestled in Bakersfield Sunday, drove about five hours to San Diego, did San Diego Monday, then I was on a red-eye to New Orleans. Tuesday morning I got it,” he said Thursday in a trailer on the film’s Metairie set. “That’s, like, every week. There’s no off-season.”

“It’s go, go, go,” he said. “So now that I’m in one place for a while, even though it’s not my home, it’s nice to be able to get into that routine.”

Still, he said, movie stardom will remain merely a sideline to his day job. “I’ll always be a WWE wrestler, first and foremost,” he said, his tattoo-covered arms covered up with makeup for the film shoot. “But I love movies. I respect the acting side of things, and if it’s something I’m good at, then I’ll do it (again).”

“Big Red,” written and directed by Michael Pavone, is being produced by WWE Studios, the film arm of the wrestling outfit’s parent company. In addition to Harris, it co-stars Amy Madigan.

Principal photography wrapped Friday (March 19). No release date has been set.

source

101ESPN Hometown Heroes: The Randy Orton Story

Ang — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 02:36:23 +0000

As a third-generation professional wrestler, Randy Orton had wrestling in his blood. Before being promoted to the main World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Orton trained in and wrestled for Mid-Missouri Wrestling Association-Southern Illinois Conference wrestling for a month before he was sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling. In 2004, he became the youngest World Heavyweight Champion at the age of 24 and continues to wow audiences.

Part 1 -

You can listen to parts 2-4 below.

Part 2 -

Part 3 -
Part 4 -

Ed Harris & Amy Madigan join the cast of WWE’s family drama “Big Red.”

Ang — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 05:11:10 +0000

Ed Harris and Amy Madigan have joined the cast of World Wrestling Entertainment’s family drama “Big Red.”
WWE star Randy Orton is featured in the film, set during the mid-1960s, about a bright 12-year-old boy whose English teacher (Harris) pairs him up on a project with the school’s biggest outcast and social pariah, Stanley (“Big Red”). When Andy watches Stanley fearlessly confront a school bully, a series of events is unleashed that changes the lives of the boys and their teacher.

Madigan will play the school’s principal, while Orton portrays the father of the bully who campaigns to get the teacher fired.

Chase Ellison (“Tooth Fairy”), Daniel Roebuck (“Final Destination”), Molly Parker (HBO’s “Deadwood”) and Mia Rose Frampton (ABC Family’s “Make It or Break It”) round out the cast.

WWE Studios’ executive president Mike Pavone will direct from his own script, with lensing skedded to begin in and around New Orleans next week. He will produce the pic with Denise Chamian.

The project is the third that WWE has greenlit to self-finance, produce and release through its distribution deal with Samuel Goldwyn Films, inked last month (Daily Variety, Jan. 19). The casting of Harris and Madigan also continues WWE’s latest strategy of surrounding its wrestlers with established actors, rather than having them completely carry a film.

WWE Studios has already wrapped comedy “Knucklehead,” with Mark Feuerstein and wrestler Paul “Big Show” Wight and “Legendary,” formerly known as “Brother’s Keeper,” that co-stars Patricia Clarkson, Danny Glover and wrestler John Cena. Both will unspool in theaters this year. WWE will produce nine films virtually back-to-back through 2012.

Harris most recently wrote, directed, produced and starred in the western “Appaloosa,” while Madigan recently had a recurring role on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy.” The two are married.

source

Dibiase Mentions Randy in interviews w/ Movie FanFare & the Toronto Sun

Ang — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 09:53:49 +0000

in an interview with Movie FanFare, Legacy member Ted DiBiase Jr. spoke about the differences between acting and professional wrestling. Mentioning Randy and his facial expressions, here’s what he had to say:

How does DiBiase view the differences between wrestling and other forms of entertainment?
“What we do in the ring is kind of live theater,” he says. Not only are the millions at home watching but the thousands in the stadium are watching, too. So what you’re doing is over the top, and you are over-exaggerating. So you have to play to this huge audience and to the people up at the top. But then you have to have these moments in between when the camera is on you and you have to tell a story, when the camera is on your face.

“The perfect example is Randy Orton in our company. His facial expressions. They love to make you hate him. He just gets so sinister-looking at moments, and people say, ‘That guy is so evil.’”

Read the entire interview here

Also, in an interview with the Toronto Sun Ted spoke about himself and Randy testing their skills.

In the wrestling ring, DiBiase is also a rising star, with WWE teasing a feud with Legacy stablemate Randy Orton.
“Randy and I always want to test our skills against the best. I want to be WWE champion just as bad as he does. I want to make an impact and make a name for myself.”

Read the entire interview here

Ted Dibiase talks about Randy in ESPN Radio Interview

Ang — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:42:53 +0000

Ted DiBiase, Jr. was on ESPN Radio in Los Angeles on Wednesday promoting “The Marine 2.” During the interview which you can listen to HERE or HERE Ted talked about what Randy thought of the movie and more. This is what he had to say :

Guy 1: Now they selected Ted Dibiase jr. to be in Marine 2 and just out of nowhere they just thought you had the look I guess or whatever.

Guy 2: Well he did a good job Michael! He went in and he nailed it.

Guy 1: Yeah, he actually got it done. What about COdy Rhodes, your partner and Randy Orton your other partner part of Legacy. Are they giving you a hard time? Wondering like “Hey why didn’t they pick us?

Ted: Well, it would have been hard to blare out Cody’s lisp. (Laughter) I’m just kidding, I hope he’s not listening right now. I don’t think there’s jealously. well actually Randy Orton one time told me, he was like “This is probably the only time I’ll ever tell you this but, I am jealous.” He saw the movie with me. When we did SummerSlam he came and viewed it at the director’s house with me, and he was like “That’s really good.” If anybody would have told me the truth if something sucked it would have been Randy Orton. So that was like the stamp of approval, you know? He was like “You did a great job and I’m jealous that you’ve done a movie and I haven’t.” I wouldn’t be surprised to see Randy in a movie.

Guy 2: Yeah he’s got the look.

Ted: He’s very talented.

WWE wrestler challenges Dallas Mavericks’ Cuban to match

Ang — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:18:14 +0000

Last year, Mark Cuban feuded with Kenyon Martin’s mom. Next up: Dusty Rhodes’ son?

The Mavericks’ owner, who will host World Wrestling Entertainment’s RAW on Monday at American Airlines center, shrugged off a challenge by up-and-coming WWE star Cody Rhodes on Thursday. Rhodes is the son of Austin-born Virgil Runnels, better known as WWE Hall of Fame wrestler Dusty “The American Dream” Rhodes.

After being notified that Cuban would like some payback against Rhodes’ ally Randy Orton for a 2003 “RKO” knockout move, Rhodes suggested Cuban step into the ring. Rhodes, Orton and Ted DiBiase Jr., all second-generation wrestlers, form the WWE’s top villainous trio “The Legacy.”

“We’ve had some guest hosts like Bob Barker who couldn’t get in the ring, but Mark Cuban is a pretty active guy,” Rhodes said. “I suggest that if he wants to get some payback on [Orton], he bring a couple of Cowboys or Mavericks to the ring on Monday and put his money where his mouth is. We’ll have an old-fashioned six-man tag match.”

Cuban’s response: “What makes them think I would need any help? Orton got lucky one time. It won’t happen again.”

As guest host of RAW, Cuban will be entitled to make matches and get involved in story lines for the show at AAC on Monday.

source

Trish Stratus praises Randy in recent interview

Carol — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:59:08 +0000

Former WWE Diva and Diva of the Decade, Trish Status recently did a with Desi Live where she was asked who she thought was the best wrestler in pro wrestling right now, and this is what she had to say.

Interviewer: Besides yourself, the best wrestler in pro wrestling today?
Trish: I most enjoy Randy Orton right now. I think he’s really charismatic. I really enjoy his matches. He is the most wonderful seller, like, the way he sells a move is just money. I’m enjoying his stuff right now.

Interviewer: Do you think he could be a good guy though? I don’t know if he has like, a personality like The Rock or anybody.
Trish: I think he could. I think he’ll get so over as a heel, that it’ll just be a natural thing that a heel turn into a a really good guy. And I think he’ll be good at it.

You can listen to her interview here: @YouTube. And I would also like to thank Randy-Orton.com visitor, Kel for bringing this to my attention.

VIDEO: Interview with Randy from SummerSlam 2009 FanAxxess party

Carol — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:28:16 +0000

Though this is a few months old it’s still relatively new to me, and I’m sure to some of you as well. Randy shows alot more personality in this interview than previous ones I’ve seen and it really is a good interview. I suggest you guys watch.

I can only wish every man lived by the same saying Randy does: “Happy wife, happy life.” because it’s a good one! :p

Kofi mentions Randy in recent Sun UK inteview

Carol — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:30:52 +0000

Kofi Kingston recently sat down with the famous Sun.co.uk website for a interview. In the interview he discusses his current angle with Randy as well as what he thinks of Randy and how great it is to be working with it.

Would you describe the last two weeks as the biggest in your career?
I guess so, man. The past couple of weeks have certainly had a lot of momentum, especially with last week destroying Randy’s car. Just picking a fight with Randy Orton…you’ll have to see what happens with me and Randy, but I’m positive some good matches will be occurring.

It has been a crazy few days. For me, career-wise, it’s all about getting better. If you’re not getting better, you’re only getting worse. I’m just trying to step it up.

It was cool to be involved with the Bragging Rights pay-per-view, I thought it was very successful. The next day, being in the ring with Jericho, he’s a veteran and a legend. It’s cool to be involved in anything he is involved in.

And then destroying Randy’s car. It was not only fun, but I think people are going to look back at it and remember it.

When did you find out you were going to be working a programme with Randy Orton — that must have been a great moment?
I’m always one of the last people to find out. This whole development has been pretty recent, I still don’t know what’s in store, except that there’ll be some high-quality matches. You pick a fight with Randy Orton, you have to step up to the plate. I’m going to step up and try to hit a home run.

Randy is established as the Legend Killer, but he is very quickly becoming a legend in his own right. To be in there with him is going to be a great learning experience. The people he has been in there with — Flair, Triple H, Batista, Shawn Michaels, Mick Foley, Edge.

I’m a student of the game, and have watched Randy for a long time. I’ve learned a lot just by watching. To be in the ring having matches against him, I’m sure I’m going to learn a whole lot from a different angle

If your interested you can read the entire Kofi interview here @ TheSun.co.uk website.

Bret Hart praises Randy and Legacy

Carol — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 06:49:09 +0000

Bret Hart did a radio interview in the UK this past week. He was very critical of both WWE and TNA creative. He also put over Randy, as well as many other current wrestlers. You can listen to the interview here at Bret Hart’s Official website: BretHart.com.

When asked about what he thought about the change back to PG rating and the current talent, he said:
“Randy Orton is a great champion and a wrestler.”

When asked about the current WWE product and it’s creative writing he said:
“I look forward to watching Randy Orton wrestle and Legacy, and there are some great wrestlers out there doing some great things.”

A Viper Like Career Top 10 Of Randy Orton’s Greatest Moments

Carol — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:33:52 +0000

Randy Orton, is possibly the greatest heel of this decade. Having seven years of fierce rough battles and moments. Ten of the moments that the Viper Randy Orton, has succeed past, and glorified those astonishing phenomenons.

Orton is a man with sinister plots, and has been the most rough wrestler in wrestling. With his amazing agility it is not hard for Orton to climb out of a tough situation. Having being the key heel in WWE certainty pays its prices. Look back at the fresh new Pay Per View Heel In A Cell. That was one payment that WWE has given back to him. Future Hall Of Famer Randy Orton has Ten outstanding moments that stand out from the rest. Hey that is why it is called Randy Orton’s top ten moments.

* An OVW star rose from the shadows of the development team, and made in to WWE. Orton first match that was on television took place on April 25 2002. Orton’s first match was against the extreme Hardcore Holly. For a brief period of time was the fan favorite, without this moment there would have been no key heel named The Viper Randy Orton.

* The Young Boy Randy Orton, joined the force known as Evolution. When joining to of the greatest wrestlers at that period of time Triple H and Ric Flair and newcomer Batista, has to mean something. The Fantastic Four were among the most incredulous stables in history. They took the titles, and more importantly took over the Red brand known as Raw. This team was not a force to be reckoning with. Eventually the four great talents split a part, during the break up Orton had the world title on his shoulder.

* The scripted part of wrestling is what makes wrestling, wrestling. And when the booker decided to make Randy Orton The youngest World Champions, they had no regrets. By defeating Chris Benoit in a truly magnificent match up The Viper became The youngest World Champion in WWE history.

* Entering Hell in A Cell with the man who has said it had been built for was a huge step for Randy Orton. At Armageddon 2005 Randy Orton went into what could have been the biggest match of his life against The Undertaker. With a little help from his Hall Of Fame father Cowboy Bob Orton, the father son combo still did not come out the victors of that brutal battle.

* Walking in at the biggest Pay Per View ever with the World Title over your shoulder is a great achievement. At Wrestlemania twenty four Orton did just that, walking in with a match with Triple H and John Cena in a triple threat match for the WWE Championship. Not just did he walked in with the title, he came out with it as well. This was a big moment for The Legend Killer Randy Orton.

* In every wrestlers career they make a legacy for themselves, Orton did just this but he did legitimately. In 2008 Orton formed a stable, with members Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibase. Randy became the leader of this group, and today they are still the main stable in wrestling.

* I know that most of you are fed up with Mr. McMahon huh? Well then you are going to love this moment. After Vince McMahon returned to the ring after eight months of absents, Randy Orton punted him in the skull .

* In 1988 the genius match known as the Royal Rumble was created. the object of the match is to throw your opponents over the top rope, and the last man standing wins. This match is particularly tough because there are thirty other man standing in your way of winning. After 21 years of this match in January of 2009 another mans name was added to the list of winners of the Royal Rumbles, and his name is Randy Orton.

* 25 years of the biggest wrestling event in wrestling history. Wrestlemania 25 lived up to its potential. And in that Main Event, Randy Orton took on his long arch enemy Triple H for The WWE Title.

* This last moment is in honor of Randy Orton being a WWE superstar. Orton has suffered for this business, and has saved it as well. Randy Orton is the go to heel in the WWE, and is been the some of the most excited epic battles in wrestling. Randy Orton career is not yet come to an end and I am really looking forward for the future of Randy Orton.

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Dibiase Mentions Randy in interview with SkySports.com

Ang — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:36:51 +0000

In an interview with SkySports.com, Ted Dibiase Jr. was asked about working with Randy and if he’s happy being in Legacy. Here’s what he had to say :

Somebody you’ve worked very closely with in the WWE is Randy Orton. What was it like to face him in the ring recently?
Ted DiBiase: That was an incredible moment as well. I think Randy is, without a doubt, one of the greatest workers we have right now and I think he’ll be remembered for years from now. He’s a future Hall of Famer and a future legend so being in the ring with him was a treat. It was hard, it was tough but I see a huge future with Randy Orton still to come.

Are you happy being part of The Legacy or do you see a time coming when you want to go and do your own thing?
Ted DiBiase: I’m very happy being with The Legacy. So far it’s done nothing but boost my career. I’ve had more opportunities to be in main events and to come up against different people like Batista and Triple H. To stand alongside Randy and to watch him do what he does has given me tons of great lessons. It’s been a huge learning experience and at the same time it’s skyrocketed my career.

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Dibiase Mentions Randy in interview with RedCarpetInjection.com

Ang — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:28:23 +0000

In an interview with RedCarpetInjection.com, Ted Dibiase Jr. was asked how working with Randy has improved him as a wrestler. Here’s what he had to say :

How has working with Randy Orton improved you as a wrestler?
I would give him a lot of credit because Randy is so talented, he’s our WWE champion and I look forward to his ‘I Quit’ match against John Cena at Breaking Point on Monday, but he has a lot of insight, experience and he’s so good at what he does. So it has helped skyrocket my career, I’m going into Monday at Breaking Point facing DX and it’s only been a year [since I joined with Orton] so Randy’s definitely helped.

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WWE stars tell IGN their picks for Raw Guest Hosts

Ang — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 20:05:12 +0000

The WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night RAW, recently introduced a new “Guest Host” aspect to their show. And while the gig is sometimes filled by wrestling legends such as Ted “Million Dollar Man” DiBiase and Sergeant Slaughter (and Dusty Rhodes this upcoming Monday) there have been a number of surprising guests from the world of sports, TV and film. The “Which celebrity will host RAW next?” question has done wonders for the show, with ratings climbing up at least 10%. Seth Green, Jeremy Piven, Shaquille O’Neal and Floyd Mayweather have all recently made appearances on the show, taking over the role of “General Manager.”

IGN recently had a chance to talk to a bunch WWE stars about the new hosts at both SDCC ’09 and at the Summerslam/Betty’s Battle (bettysbattle.org) kickoff party this past Friday night. “I think it’s great,” Triple H told us. “I think it adds a new factor that’s a lot of fun and it makes it different every week. I think we’ve gotten some great guests so far, much in the vein of a newer, hipper Saturday Night Live maybe.” Triple H then went on to say that RAW is a great way to promote a movie, a TV show or even a charity – much like Access Hollywood’s Nancy O’Dell’s charity ALS Betty’s Battle (O’Dell will be hosting an upcoming RAW in a few weeks).

“I think it’s cool, man,” said WWE Champion Randy Orton. “I mean we’re out here in Hollywood right now. I’m from St. Louis, Missouri so I’m not used to this sort of thing. Getting to mingle with these guys and our fans seeing that these celebrities are fans of what we do I think creates a cool crossover there where more people start watching our product.”

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St. Louis son Randy Orton on life in (and out of) the ring

Ang — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:10:34 +0000

By Santiago C. Ayulo
Hazelwood Central grad Randy Orton returns home to headline WWE Monday Night Raw. We spoke with him about growing up in St. Louis and his life inside and outside the ring.

• What is your favorite memory growing up in St. Louis?
One of my favorite memories is going to downtown, Forest Park with my family. Shaw is good. Walking around the zoo. The Art Museum with my grandma. Growing up in St. Louis was a lot of fun. On the Fourth of July we would go to the (James J. Eagan Center) Florissant Valley Civic Center in North County to watch the fireworks display every year. … A lot of fun times back then.

• Do you get the celebrity treatment when you are home?
The past year, I’ve had the daughter, and before that my wife was pregnant. I’ve been with my wife, Samantha, for quite a while. I really kind of hang low whenever we do choose to go out. Usually there are a couple of clubs downtown that are pretty nice to me. As far as getting recognized, I live in St. Charles. I get recognized quite a bit around there but it’s not like I go and try to get recognized. … A couple of years ago, going to Six Flags with my wife, it was hard. We got on three or four rides in a span of six hours because it was so many kids stopping (me) to get autographs. I enjoy what I do. It’s a part of what I do.

• How has fatherhood changed your professional and personal life?
It’s put a lot of things in perspective. Everyone said when my wife was pregnant, “Wait til you have that little girl. It’s going to change your life.” You hear that and you don’t really know until the day she’s born, and that’s when it hit me. When I saw the little baby and when she looked up at me and heard my voice and (I said), “Wow, I made this little human being and I’m responsible for it.” I have to set a good example. I have to be a good father. … It really made me mature very quickly and realize I have to step up and be not only a good husband to my wife but a great father. I think I’m doing that, accomplishing that goal of mine, and I would like to have more (kids) in the future. I would like to have a big family. I love my daughter. … On a personal level, she’s made me understand what life is all about. It’s made me more excited to get home and see how she’s progressed and what she’s learned to do. … I always wanted a little girl so bad, so I’m very blessed that I got my wish.

• Are you a sports fan?
I wish I could say yes. I honestly don’t follow any sports, even though we’ve got the Rams, Blues and Cardinals. I hate to say, I don’t really have time. It’s not that I don’t appreciate or like sports. I was active in sports growing up but can’t say I’ve got the time for (sports). I’m proud of my teams when they are doing good. Can’t say I’m too happy about the Rams season the last year. A former Rams player, J.R. Niklos, is a good friend of mine. His wife and my wife were good friends from high school. They went to Francis Howell. Pisa Tinoisamoa, who just got released — is going to play for the Bears — lives right down the street from me. We wave and stuff. Besides that, not too involved with the St. Louis sports scene or sports in general.

• Favorite St. Louis athlete or moment?
When Mark McGwire was (chasing Roger Maris’ home run record) I would definitely keep tabs on him, how many home runs he was hitting, breaking the record — that was exciting. If there was someone I had to pick that I followed St. Louis-wise it would have been McGwire. When the Rams won the Super Bowl with Kurt Warner. When he led the Rams to a victory that year, that was pretty exciting. Of course, the Cardinals winning the championship was pretty exciting as well. But like I said, (professional athletes) have an off season, I don’t. Us WWE superstars travel year-round. We are overseas constantly. I was just doing an interview for upcoming European tour later in the fall. It’s go, go, go. I get about two days at home a week with my wife and my baby. It’s not enough but I do enjoy what I do. My wife supports me, and I’m sure my little daughter will understand when she gets a little older.

• What was it like growing up a son of a wrestler, “Cowboy” Bob Orton?
Growing up, being around my father and his buddies in the business like Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Junk Yard Dog, Hillbilly Jim, Greg Valentine, Roddy Piper, you name it, anyone back then in that era that wrestled, I was mixing it up with them in the locker room. I was young when I was on the road with my dad — 5, 6, 7 — but it was when he was in his prime with the WWF, at the time. It was a lot of fun. A few of the second- and third-generation wrestlers have similar stories, but for the most part not a lot of guys grew up in the business like we did. There are a lot of cool moments like Jake “The Snake” Roberts’ python, messing around with it back in the locker room. Or Junk Yard Dog chasing me with the broom down the hallway. Brett Hart watching me. He was the designated babysitter while my father was in the ring. I will always remember those times.

• Besides your father, who is your favorite wrestler?
I was a big fan of Jake “The Snake.” I always had a fascination with snakes and reptiles. I always wanted to be a herpetologist. I had a 13-foot vermisse python when I was in high school. It weighed 90 pounds. It ate rabbits and large rats. A little of an oddball hobby. Jake “The Snake” started my curiosity with that and because he always had the big python in the burlap bag in the back. I was always big into playing with the snake when they came into town.

• Your dream match opponent and why?
I say that everyone I’ve wanted to work with, I’ve gotten the opportunity to. Hulk Hogan in SummerSlam, Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Triple H. … These guys that I watched were at the top of there game. When I got in the business, I never thought in a million years that I would be wrestling Triple H in the main event at WrestleMania. I never thought I would be wrestling Undertaker at WrestleMania XXI, let alone The Rock at WrestleMania XX, Kurt Angle at WrestleMania XXII. I have so many memories of wrestling guys that I dreamt to wrestling. Really, there is no more. My dad was on the road with me for six months back in 2005 and 2006, and I was able to wrestle with him in my corner. I’ve never wrestled against my father. I would say my father would be one of the ones that, if I could turn back the clock, I would be able to wrestle him in his prime and a pretty good match. I think that would be very cool, but obviously it won’t happen. I did get the pleasure of working with him in the ring.

• If you weren’t a wrestler, what would you be?
I think I would be a stunt man, if not a herpetologist. Working at the zoo in the reptile house, like I said, fascinated me when I was a child. If I didn’t get into wrestling I would be a stunt man. I’m big into movies, I like watching movies, I would like to be in movies one day. That’s another dream of mine is to get a part, no matter how big or small. I’ve read for two or three parts. Gotten close to getting them. I just read for a part with Drew Barrymore. A very small part in an upcoming movie. I didn’t get it. They said the character they wanted had to be little more burly, a little more roughneck. They said I was too handsome. I guess they didn’t want to be rude and let me down easy, but either way, I didn’t get the part. … Here in the WWE there is a great avenue for getting parts in movies. WWE has their own film production company, of course, with “12 Rounds,” “The Marine” movie, “Behind Enemy Lines” starring Ken Kennedy. There is a good chance that you’ll see me on the big screen sooner or later.

• What major injuries have you sustained during your career in the ring?
Broken foot, dislocated bones in my foot, broken clavicle twice, major surgery on both shoulders, six concussions. You’re always walking around with some kind of a pain. You land on your back quite a bit, obviously, lots of visits to the chiropractor. Lots of deep-tissue massages. Lots physical therapy on the surgeries that I’ve had. It’s a constant battle to stay healthy and stay in shape. In this business, your body is your money. Edge just tore his Achilles tendon. That’s huge. That’s like a nine-month injury. He’s also had a broken neck and neck surgery. He was out for over a year. Things like that — you just never know. Any match can literally be your last match any time you step in the ring. You always have to conscious of how well you are physically and mentally. What we do mentally — it’s very taxing, as well. It’s a constant stress on the body to do what we do not only in the ring, but outside the ring because you are constantly in the gym, watching your diet, and the travel takes a lot out of you, too. … I’ve had my share of injuries. I know Chris Jericho hasn’t had been hurt. He might have broken his forearm earlier in his career but he’s been (wrestling) for twenty years. Some guys get lucky and get a couple of injuries. Some guys are injury prone. … My in-ring style isn’t the most dangerous. Someone like Evan Bourne — he jumps up the top rope and does the Shooting Star Press, and of course he weighs 150 pounds. I’m 100 pounds heavier than he is but still, the death-defying stuff they’re doing, I would never be able to do that kind of thing. And even if I could, it’s the type of thing I’ve taken out of my repertoire so that I can be able to have longevity in my career. That’s what it’s about, supporting my family, paying the bills. Being there for my family and being able to provide.

• How would you like to be remembered after you retire?
We’ll have to wait and see. I’m just getting started. I’m in my prime — so hopefully good things. Just that I worked hard and be a household name — if not already — and by then, they’ll say I’m one of the greatest.

• How many days of the year are you on the road?
Over 200. At least 220 to 250. I have about 200 matches a year.

• Forecast your main event match against John Cena at SummerSlam.
I’ve wrestled John Cena a couple of times. We have some history, and he is a hell of a competitor. He is one of the strongest guys I’ve stepped in the ring. Pound for pound, I think he is the strongest. The way he trains, his discipline, he keeps getting better every year. The fan following — he has is incomparable to anyone else. … I have Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes at my corner. I know they are not afraid to stick their necks out on the line for me. I’m confident in the fact that I will beat John Cena at SummerSlam and remain WWE champion. I’ve been going strong since April at Backlash when I kicked Triple H in the face and put him out for six weeks. I beat Triple H in a Last Man Standing match. I beat him in a Three Stages of Hell match, which ended with me putting him on a stretcher and pushing over the finish line. I’ve been going strong and my momentum has me at a point where that’s the one thing I have on my side.

• Rick Flair or Hulk Hogan?
I would have to say Flair because I know Flair a lot better. On a personal level, he’s taught me a lot. Of course, Hogan is a huge name and has made a lots of money, but I think Flair has a little more respect from wrestling fans because of his work ethic. As far as what he’s been able to do in the ring, and the following he’s had, sure, Hogan and Hulkamania will be around forever but Flair’s legacy will never die. Knowing (Flair) on a personal level and how much he helped me in the business, I could never deny that.

• What should fans expect from “Monday Night Raw” in St. Louis?
This is my hometown, and I have to represent St. Louis to the fullest. I always have, always will. Monday won’t be any different. All of us put our bodies on the line to entertain. When it comes to overall entertainment, you can’t get this kind of a mix of different emotions in one night. In that two-hour time, whether you attend Raw or watch it at home, you walk in and it’s incomparable to anything else. I don’t care if it’s the Cardinals or the Rams or the Blues, I don’t care how well or bad their season is, they get an off season. We don’t. We are going hard all year. For me, it’s been nine years and I’m going to keep going hard. When they attend the show or watch it on TV, they are going to get nothing less than 110 percent from each and every one of us.

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