Randy Orton’s legacy as a WWE main-eventer spans over two decades, earning accolades and recognition as one of the company’s finest wrestlers.
According to his father, WWE Hall of Famer Bob Orton Jr., The Viper stands as a pinnacle of wrestling prowess, possibly even the best in the history of the organization.
Transitioning to the main roster in 2002 following a stint in WWE’s Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) developmental territory, Randy Orton ascended the ranks, notably as part of the legendary Evolution faction, before carving his path as a formidable singles competitor.
Reflecting on his son’s journey, Bob Orton Jr. shared his sentiments with Friday Night Fights TV, reminiscing about his own wrestling career before lavishing praise on Randy:
“Nowadays, I just think of Randy. I think he’s the best they’ve got. Probably the best they’ve ever had. I’m a proud daddy (…) Every time I go over to his house, he’s got a garage with a gym in it. It’s just as good as anybody’s gym, you know, so he’s got a gym. And every time I go over there, he’s in the gym. He works hard at what he does. To look that good, you’ve got to.”
Randy Orton’s illustrious career boasts 14 world championship reigns, leaving him just two titles shy of matching the joint-record held by John Cena and Ric Flair, who have 16 each.
Bob Orton Jr., a seasoned wrestler himself, commenced his career in 1972, gracing various major promotions such as AWA, NJPW, NWA, and WWE. Fondly recalling his travels between shows, the 73-year-old singled out Roddy Piper and Don Muraco as memorable companions:
“Being together with Roddy Piper was a lot of fun,” Bob Orton Jr. shared. “Never a dull moment with Roddy, and I didn’t have to say a word. He talked everywhere we went. He talked the whole way there and the whole way back. He was a lot of fun to listen to. I really remember those [conversations] when I start to think back about the past. Don Muraco too. I always think of Don.”
In a 2023 interview with Sportskeeda Wrestling Senior Editor Bill Apter, Bob Orton Jr. discussed his son’s return to the ring after an 18-month hiatus, underlining Randy Orton’s enduring impact on the wrestling world.
As for whether Randy Orton claims the title of the greatest of all time, that’s a debate that continues to ignite passionate discussions among fans worldwide.
