Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer revealed in a tweet that Randy Orton’s mask on Raw was influenced by Dick Beyer. Beyer was known as The Destroyer and Doctor X. He wrestled in Japan and in 2017 he was awarded one of the country’s highest honours, the Order of the Rising Sun. He debuted in 1954 and retired in 1993. Beyer died in 2019 at 88 years old.
The Randy Orton mask was part of a storyline where he suffered burns after Alexa Bliss threw a fireball in his face last week as retribution for him burning Bray Wyatt last month at the TLC PPV.
Orton cut a lengthy promo where he said he blamed The Fiend for his burns, not Alexa Bliss, and confirmed that he will still compete in the Royal Rumble match. Orton said he enjoys the pain from burns, and it fuels his every move.
Nick Hausman of WrestlingInc.com praised the promo and mask angle on Twitter, tweeting, “Randy Orton is Teflon. Every wrestler and story he’s involved with is better for it. A true GOAT.”
NoDQ.com owner Aaron Rift joked, “Randy Orton is the newest member of Retribution? #WWE #RAW.” Ryan Satin also quipped, “Slapjack sounds a lot like Randy Orton this week. Weird.”
It is still unconfirmed if Orton will wrestle Bray Wyatt again at the Royal Rumble, in addition to being in the 30-man match. Orton’s rumored WrestleMania opponent was just revealed.
Randy Orton wearing a Dick Beyer mask tonight.
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) January 19, 2021
"Despite my sickening affliction, I vow to remain in the #RoyalRumble Match. I can only compete as long as I tolerate the pain, but … I enjoy the pain."#WWERaw @RandyOrton pic.twitter.com/CYIAn8MoeP
— WWE (@WWE) January 19, 2021
