Randy Orton: 10 Things you probably didn’t know about him

Randy Orton has for over a decade been a top star within the WWE. Right from a very young age, he was hand-picked by many a veteran stars to be a main-event player for the company in the future. For most part, he has realized his potential and done well for himself, earning epithets such as ‘Legend Killer’ and ‘The Viper’ over the years. The naturally gifted performer that Randy is, his antics outside the ring has also been instrumental in keeping him in the news.

Here are some facts about Randy Orton, which will amaze many of you. These facts range from fun to achievements to controversies.

10. Orton was attacked by a fan

On July 30, 2013, Orton was attacked by a fan during a South Africa house show. Following a match, the fan entered into the ring and gave a low blow to Orton. WWE stated that the interference was not a part of any storyline. The accused was charged and ordered to either pay a fine of 500 Rand or serve 30 days in jail. He was also suspended for three years and disallowed to attend any other house shows that week.

9. Used another big WWE star’s theme music

Randy Orton has had five different songs for his individual entrances (2 for Evolution and Rated-RKO) in the WWE till now. One of them is “This Fire Burns” by Killswitch Engage which he used on March 3, 2006 episode of SmackDown. This theme song was later used by CM Punk until he switched to “The Cult of Personality” in July 2011.

8. Orton attacked an interviewer

Not just in the ring but the “Apex Predator” is also dangerous outside it, as he has given many interviews where he has verbally and also physically attacked the interviewer. One such interview clip shows Orton slapping the interviewer.

7. Randy Orton served in the US Marine Corps for a short duration

Orton was a member of the United States Marine Corps (USMC), before he received a bad conduct discharge as he went UA (Unauthorized Abse). He served 38 days in military prison at Camp Pendleton, California. He had a “USMC” tattoo on his left arm which he later covered up.

6. Suspended by the WWE on three occasions

Orton was suspended for “unprofessional conduct” on April 3, 2006. Later that year in August he was suspended for 30 days for the violation of WWE’s Talent Wellness Program. He was the first star to be penalized under this program. On May 30, 2012, he was suspended for the second time under the program, this time for 60 days. He is just one violation away from being released.

5. Randy Orton is Youngest WWE World Champion in history

Randy Orton won the World Heavyweight Championship from Chris Benoit at the young age of 24. This is a popularly known fact and is in this list because it’s an impressive achievement. Though he got kicked out of The Evolution for his championship win, it helped him emerge as one of the best individual wrestlers in WWE.

4. Orton’s Steroid controversy

In March 2007, Sports Illustrated posted an article on its website about their ongoing investigation on steroids usage by many professional athletes from different sports which also included Orton and many other current and former WWE stars. Orton was alleged to have obtained anastrozole, clomiphene citrate and steroids such as stanozolol and nandrolone.

3. Bad backstage behavior record

We have seen his anger management issues in the storylines he has been involved in, but that is a truth about his character in real. Former WWE Diva Rochelle Loewen talked about an incident from her first day in the WWE where she was meeting the roster backstage and didn’t know who Orton was. So, she guessed him as some “Canadian” which Orton didn’t like, who then went into the empty Divas locker room and destroy majority of her “nice” items. What is more shocking is that it was alleged that he defecated in her luggage.

2. Record with father

Randy Orton is one of the many third generation superstars in the wrestling industry. But it’s a record that Randy shares with his father, Bob Orton, that makes him stand out of the rest. He and his father both have won the Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Rookie of the Year award. Bob Orton won it in 1973 and Randy won it in 2001.

1. Randy Orton started his career as a referee

It’s a common thing for aspiring wrestlers to start their career with a minor position in the wrestling industry. Some carry other wrestler’s stuff and some become a part of the ring crew. But, Orton went a step further and took up the striped shirt. Belonging to a wrestling family got Orton the chance to work in some of the best wrestling organizations. His uncle Barry Orton got him his referee gig at World Organized Wrestling.