Randy Orton reacts to massive WWE name coming out of retirement 'just' to wrestle him

WWE legend Randy Orton has opened up about a veteran coming back from retirement to have a match with him 20 years ago.

Mick Foley started a feud with Evolution on the Road to WrestleMania XX in 2003-04. He was focused on The Viper, who had been doing everything in his power to embarrass him in front of the WWE Universe.

After Mick Foley and The Rock lost to Evolution at WrestleMania XX, his feud with Randy Orton continued on WWE RAW. The duo finally met in a hardcore match at Backlash, contested for the Intercontinental Championship.

That night, Orton defeated Cactus Jack in a career-defining performance. After 20 years, Randy recently looked back at the match and shared his thoughts on Foley returning from retirement to work with him.

"I thought it was really special for Mick Foley to come out of retirement just to work with me at Backlash. This was a month after I just picked up a win against The Rock and Mick Foley at WrestleMania 20 in Madison Square Garden, and I'm flying high, man." [0:00-0:22]

Randy Orton didn't look back after his win over Mick Foley at Backlash 2004

At this point, Orton had become one of the biggest heels in the company. He eventually lost the Intercontinental Title to Edge and then put his focus on bigger things.

At SummerSlam 2004, The Legend Killer defeated Chris Benoit to become the youngest World Heavyweight Champion in WWE history. Unfortunately, he lost the belt to Triple H a few weeks later.

Randy Orton went on to face some of the biggest names in the business and won the top prize on multiple occasions. With 14 world title reigns, he is regarded as one of the greatest heels in the industry today and is a sure-fire future WWE Hall of Famer.

Were you a fan of this match? Or was it too violent for your taste?

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Please credit WWE and give a H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use Orton's quotes!