Biography

Randy made his wrestling debut in 2000 at the Mid-Missouri Wrestling Association-Southern Illinois Conference Wrestling (MMWA-SICW) in St. Louis, Missouri before being signed signed to a developmental contract with WWE sending him to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW).

In April of 2002, he made his official WWE television debut taking on Hardcore Holly in a match on Smackdown. Later that year he was moved to Raw brand but within a few weeks he was sidelined with a shoulder injury. He continued making regular appearances on WWE television, going as far as attacking targeted Superstars with his crutches and giving fans constant updates on his medical progress — whether they wanted them or not with his infamous “RNN News” bulletins. Returning to active competition in May 2003, Orton was instantly recruited by Triple H to join with the legendary “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, and the Animal Batista as part of Evolution. Orton captured his first major championship on Dec. 14, 2003, defeating Rob Van Dam for the Intercontinental Championship at Armageddon. He held on to the championship for an impressive seven months.Priding himself as “The Legend Killer,’’ Orton has finished off the likes of Hall of Famer Sgt. Slaughter, Jake “the Snake” Roberts and hardcore legend Mick Foley. Orton also displays no fear and no respect when confronting legends such as Harley Race, asserting his claim as the true legend of sports-entertainment.

In August of 2004, Randy defeated World Heavyweight Champion Chris Benoit at SummerSlam to become the youngest person ever to hold a title in WWE history at the age of 24. The very next night, Triple H arranged a vicious beating for his former stablemate and banished him from Evolution. Independence, however, only made Orton stronger and bolder. When Triple H threatened Orton and demanded that he “hand over” the World Heavyweight Championship, Orton just spit in his face. He then went on to “kill” one of the greatest legends of them all: 16-time world champion (and his former mentor) Ric Flair in a fan-selected Steel Cage Match later that year at Taboo Tuesday. The next year, Randy did something not many superstars dare to, challenge the legendary Undertaker at WrestleMania. Orton gave it everything he had, including some help from his father, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Deadman from going 13-0 at the biggest event of the year.He was put on the shelf with a shoulder injury suffered during his WrestleMania match and wasn’t seen again until he was drafted to SmackDown in the 2005 Draft Lottery, where he continued what would be a 9-month feud with the Undertaker.

In the following years, Randy took on the likes of Rey Mysterio, formed the infamous RatedRKO with Edge to taken Triple H & Shawn Michaels in the reformed team of DX and defeated Jeff Hardy to retain his WWE Title. However, in a title match with Triple H at One Night Stand he broke his collarbone and was sidelined once again. To make matters worse, just before he was set to return from his injury, Randy was in a minor motorcycle accident which kept him out for just a bit longer. He made an unexpected return to Raw at the beginning of September ’08, criticizing all of the champions on the brand. Tag team champions at the time, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase took exception to this and tried to gain his respect.Unsuccessful until the pay-per-view event Unforgiven, the three of them, alongside new recruit Manu, assaulted World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk, costing him his title. Shortly after his official return to the ring in November, losing to CM Punk (after a disqualification) Randy formed a stable known as Legacy. They dominated the RAW brand throughout 2009 and part of 2010 before imploding in what would turn into a triple threat match between Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase & Randy at WrestleMania 26, with Randy turning up victorious. The rest of 2010 saw feuds with the likes of Sheamus, Wade Barrett & The Miz along with both title wins & losses. Culminating in a feud with CM Punk late in the year and going on to defeat Punk at WrestleMania 27.

In April of 2011, after nearly 5 years Randy was drafted to the Smackdown brand. Early on in his return to Smackdown, Randy defeated Christian to capture the World Heavyweight Championship for the second time, his 8th title win in his career. He lost the title shortly after in July at the Money In The Bank pay-per-view, only to regain it once again the next month at SummerSlam. Randy would go on to half a handful of feuds throughout the rest of 2011 & 2012 with the likes of Wade Barrett, Kane, Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio & Dolph Ziggler but, of course it wasn’t without hiccups. In February 2012, Randy suffered a concussion at the hands of Daniel Bryan, later on in May of 2012 he was also suspended for 60 days due to his second violation of the company’s Talent Wellness Program. In December of 2012, Randy suffered a shoulder dislocation after being assaulted backstage at Smackdown by renegade faction, The Shield. He returned a few weeks later and has since took on U.S. Champion Antonio Cesaro and Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett in a handful of matches thus far this year.

So what else is in store for the 9 time world champion & 3rd generation superstar? Only time will tell.