– Below are some highlights from a recent in-depth interview with Randy Orton from the St Louis Post-Dispatch:
Growing Up As The Son Of “Cowboy” Bob Orton: Growing up, being around my father and his buddies in the business like Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Junk Yard Dog, Hillbilly Jim, Greg Valentine, Roddy Piper, you name it, anyone back then in that era that wrestled, I was mixing it up with them in the locker room. I was young when I was on the road with my dad — 5, 6, 7 — but it was when he was in his prime with the WWF, at the time. It was a lot of fun. A few of the second- and third-generation wrestlers have similar stories, but for the most part not a lot of guys grew up in the business like we did. There are a lot of cool moments like Jake “The Snake” Roberts’ python, messing around with it back in the locker room. Or Junk Yard Dog chasing me with the broom down the hallway. Brett Hart watching me. He was the designated babysitter while my father was in the ring. I will always remember those times.
Dream Opponent And Why: I say that everyone I’ve wanted to work with, I’ve gotten the opportunity to. Hulk Hogan in SummerSlam, Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Triple H. … These guys that I watched were at the top of there game. When I got in the business, I never thought in a million years that I would be wrestling Triple H in the main event at WrestleMania. I never thought I would be wrestling Undertaker at WrestleMania XXI, let alone The Rock at WrestleMania XX, Kurt Angle at WrestleMania XXII. I have so many memories of wrestling guys that I dreamt to wrestling. Really, there is no more. My dad was on the road with me for six months back in 2005 and 2006, and I was able to wrestle with him in my corner. I’ve never wrestled against my father. I would say my father would be one of the ones that, if I could turn back the clock, I would be able to wrestle him in his prime and a pretty good match. I think that would be very cool, but obviously it won’t happen. I did get the pleasure of working with him in the ring.
Hulk Hogan Or Ric Flair? I would have to say Flair because I know Flair a lot better. On a personal level, he’s taught me a lot. Of course, Hogan is a huge name and has made a lots of money, but I think Flair has a little more respect from wrestling fans because of his work ethic. As far as what he’s been able to do in the ring, and the following he’s had, sure, Hogan and Hulkamania will be around forever but Flair’s legacy will never die. Knowing (Flair) on a personal level and how much he helped me in the business, I could never deny that.
