On this day in wrestling history, April 23, 2002, Randy Orton debuted in the WWE on Smackdown where he defeated Bob Holly.
It marked the beginning of a hall of fame career as Orton would go on to become one of the most decorated wrestlers in WWE history.
From the start he was a favorite of mine as he had a certain charisma that made us pay attention.
Orton was almost never hired as Vince McMahon is a super patriot and held Orton’s dishonorable discharge against him, but Jim Ross kept at is and helped Orton find a new home.
Now, it’s hard to imagine the WWE without him, and on April 25’s edition of WWE Raw they’re going to have a tribute for him to celebrate his twenty years with the company.
Breaking in
There’s usually a point to why Vince would have certain wrestlers face newcomers, and for Orton’s debut he faced Bob Holly, who had a reputation as a bully and a purposely stiff worker.
Orton talked about it in an interview with The Sun UK in August 2008. Special thanks to @awrestlinghistorian for the transcript.
“When I broke into the business, he beat my ass. He was told to beat my ass because I was a little light in the ring, they wanted to stiffen me up, and he did a good job getting me to realize that you need to fight back in there, but at the same time, he was a bit of a bully too.”
All lessons serve a purpose, and despite stiffening up, Orton is arguably the WWE’s safest worker over his career. He doesn’t rely on high flying moves to get a pop, but relies on ring psychology and can get a pop with just a look.
But he’s also faced his share of down times and found a way through them to remain as one of the best wrestlers in the world for so long.
New lease
Since teaming with Riddle to form RK-Bro, Orton seems to have found a new lease on his career and has said he’s having more fun than ever before.
It makes sense after nearly twenty years of being serious and intense as now he gets to goof around more and actually crack a smile.
We’re loving seeing him in a new persona and we can’t wait to see what plans the WWE has in mind for him as they celebrate this day in wrestling history.
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