Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Randy Orton
How Randy Orton built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Randal Keith Orton, known as Randy Orton, is an American professional wrestler signed to WWE since 2000, currently on the SmackDown brand. Widely considered one of the greatest professional wrestlers ever, Orton has had a career spanning over two decades. He boasts a record of holding the tied-third most world championship reigns in wrestling history.
1998: Kane attacks The Undertaker
In 1998, Kane attacked The Undertaker at the Royal Rumble. Randy Orton and Bob Orton's actions at No Mercy in 2005, where they locked The Undertaker in a casket, chopped holes in it with an axe, poured gasoline over the casket and set it ablaze, were described as being similar to this attack.
2000: Wrestling Debut
In 2000, Randy Orton made his wrestling debut at the Mid-Missouri Wrestling Association-Southern Illinois Conference Wrestling (MMWA-SICW) in St. Louis, Missouri.
2000: Signed with WWF and Sent to OVW
In 2000, Randy Orton signed a deal with the then World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and was sent to its developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), to continue his training.
2000: Signed with WWE
In 2000, Randy Orton signed with WWE and began his journey in professional wrestling.
February 14, 2001: Won OVW Hardcore Championship
On February 14, 2001, Randy Orton defeated Mr. Black to win the OVW Hardcore Championship for the first time.
May 1, 2001: First WWF House Show Appearance
On May 1, 2001, Randy Orton made his first appearance at a WWF house show, facing Billy Gunn and losing after promising to beat Gunn.
May 5, 2001: Won OVW Hardcore Championship a Second Time
On May 5, 2001, Randy Orton defeated Flash Flanagan to win the OVW Hardcore Championship for the second time.
March 16, 2002: WWF Appearance at WrestleMania X8 Fan Axxess
On March 16, 2002, Randy Orton made one of his first official WWF appearances at WrestleMania X8's Fan Axxess, where he was defeated by Tommy Dreamer.
April 25, 2002: First Televised WWF Match
On April 25, 2002, Randy Orton had his first televised WWF match, securing a victory against Hardcore Holly on SmackDown!
September 2002: Traded to Raw Brand
In September 2002, Randy Orton was traded to the Raw brand, where he defeated Stevie Richards in his debut. He suffered a shoulder injury shortly after.
2002: Part of OVW Class of 2002
In 2002, Randy Orton's promotion to the main roster made him a member of OVW's Class of 2002, known as the "OVW 4", alongside John Cena, Brock Lesnar, and Dave Batista.
May 2003: Returned and Re-Joined Evolution
In May 2003, Randy Orton returned as a masked man, interfering in a match and then revealing himself to re-join the Evolution stable.
2004: Dominance with Evolution
From 2003 to 2004, Randy Orton and the Evolution stable dominated Raw, holding all men's titles on the brand after Armageddon in 2003.
2004: Appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to promote Taboo Tuesday
In 2004, Randy Orton made an appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel Live! talk show to promote the Taboo Tuesday event.
2004: Expulsion from Evolution
In 2004, Randy Orton was kicked out of Evolution by Triple H. According to Orton, Triple H "ruined his life", so Orton wanted to take everything Triple H cared about away from him in 2009.
2004: Championship Reign Ended by Triple H
In 2004, Randy Orton's championship reign was ended by Triple H, which later became a reason for Orton to agree to form Rated-RKO with Edge to defeat D-Generation X (DX).
2004: Established as 'Legend Killer'
Throughout 2004, Randy Orton solidified his "Legend Killer" gimmick, feuding with and disrespecting wrestling legends.
January 9, 2005: Elimination Chamber Match
On January 9, 2005, at New Year's Revolution, Randy Orton participated in an Elimination Chamber match for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship, where he was the last man eliminated by Triple H.
March 2005: Feud with The Undertaker Begins
Throughout March 2005, Randy Orton taunted The Undertaker, claiming he would end his WrestleMania undefeated streak. Orton delivered an RKO to Stacy Keibler and Jake Roberts.
2005: Drafted to SmackDown! and Rekindles Feud with The Undertaker
In 2005, Randy Orton was drafted to SmackDown! as the second pick in the draft lottery. He rekindled his feud with The Undertaker, leading to matches at SummerSlam and No Mercy.
January 29, 2006: Royal Rumble and Championship Challenge
On January 29, 2006, at the Royal Rumble, Randy Orton entered the Royal Rumble match as the thirtieth and final wrestler. He was eliminated by Rey Mysterio, who won the match. Orton challenged Mysterio for his title shot at No Way Out.
February 2006: WWE Talent Wellness Program launched
In February 2006, WWE launched its Talent Wellness Program. This was mentioned in response to allegations against Randy Orton and other wrestlers in 2007.
2006: Joined Forces with Edge
In 2006, Randy Orton teamed up with Edge to form Rated-RKO, a tag team that went on to win the World Tag Team Championship.
January 7, 2007: Rated-RKO vs. DX at New Year's Revolution
On January 7, 2007, Rated-RKO defended the World Tag Team Championship against DX at New Year's Revolution. The match was declared a no-contest after Triple H suffered a legitimate injury, and Rated-RKO were attacked by DX afterward.
February 5, 2007: Triple Threat Match for WWE Championship Contendership
On February 5, 2007, Edge, Shawn Michaels and Randy Orton competed in a triple threat match on Raw to earn a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 23. Michaels won the match.
March 2007: Appeared on Deal or No Deal
In March 2007, Randy Orton appeared on the game show Deal or No Deal alongside Edge, John Cena, and Bobby Lashley.
2007: Character Change
In late 2007, during his second WWE Championship reign, Randy Orton's character changed to a more unstable and treacherous personality.
2007: Two WWE Championship Reigns in One Night
In mid-2007, after Rated-RKO disbanded, Randy Orton achieved two WWE Championship reigns in one night, becoming the second youngest two-time WWE Champion at 27.
January 14, 2008: Attack on Matt Hardy
On January 14, 2008, during his feud with Jeff Hardy, Randy Orton punted Hardy's brother Matt in the head. Jeff Hardy retaliated by performing a Swanton Bomb off the Raw set onto Orton.
January 2008: Orton on Playing a Heel
In January 2008, Randy Orton stated that it is easy for him to play a heel, as it comes naturally to him.
2008: Formed The Legacy
In 2008, Randy Orton created The Legacy with Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase Jr., leading the group until its dissolution.
January 19, 2009: Feud with the McMahon Family Begins
On January 19, 2009, Randy Orton confronted Mr. McMahon and Stephanie McMahon on Raw, claiming that he was worth more than Stephanie. He then attacked Mr. McMahon, leading to a feud with the McMahon family.
2009: The Marine 2 Casting Change
In 2009, Randy Orton was set to star in the action film "The Marine 2", but was replaced by Ted DiBiase Jr. after injuring his collarbone.
2009: Royal Rumble Winner
In 2009, Randy Orton won the Royal Rumble match, a significant achievement in his WWE career.
January 11, 2010: Orton wins triple threat match
On January 11, 2010, Orton won a triple threat match on Raw, with assistance from Rhodes and DiBiase, earning him the right to challenge Sheamus for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble.
2010: The Legacy Disbanded
In 2010, The Legacy, led by Randy Orton, disbanded.
January 30, 2011: Orton's Rematch Against The Miz
On January 30, 2011, Orton had a rematch against The Miz at the Royal Rumble in a tables match for the WWE Championship, but he lost the match.
2011: Edge's Retirement
In 2011, Edge retired from wrestling due to career-ending neck injuries.
2011: Role in That's What I Am
In 2011, Randy Orton had a supporting role as the father of a school bully in the comedy-drama film "That's What I Am".
January 27, 2012: Orton Returns to the Ring
On January 27, 2012, Randy Orton returned to the ring on SmackDown and attacked Wade Barrett following a four-week hiatus due to injury.
February 17, 2013: Orton Eliminated in Elimination Chamber Match
On February 17, 2013, at Elimination Chamber, Randy Orton eliminated Mark Henry and Chris Jericho in an Elimination Chamber match before being eliminated by Jack Swagger.
2013: The Marine 3: Homefront Casting Change
In 2013, Randy Orton signed on to star in "The Marine 3: Homefront", but was replaced by The Miz due to his checkered military career.
2013: Unified WWE and World Heavyweight Championships
In 2013, Randy Orton unified the World Heavyweight Championship with the WWE Championship at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
October 2014: RKO trend on Vine and the Internet
In October 2014, Randy Orton became a popular figure on Vine and the internet due to a trend of superimposing his RKO move on internet "fail" videos.
February 22, 2015: Orton Returns at Fastlane
On February 22, 2015, Randy Orton returned at Fastlane, saving Dolph Ziggler, Erick Rowan, and Ryback from a post-match beatdown by Rollins, Big Show, and Kane.
2015: Starring in The Condemned 2
In 2015, Randy Orton starred in the action film "The Condemned 2".
2015: Named 'Face of WWE'
In 2015, while aligned with The Authority, Randy Orton was named the 'face of the WWE'.
July 7, 2016: Orton to Face Lesnar at SummerSlam
On the July 7, 2016, episode of SmackDown, Randy Orton was revealed as Brock Lesnar's opponent for SummerSlam.
December 2016: Guest Role in Shooter
In December 2016, Randy Orton had a guest role as James Richards in an episode of the USA action series "Shooter."
2016: Joined The Wyatt Family
In 2016, Randy Orton became a member of The Wyatt Family, a significant shift in his alliances within WWE.
January 29, 2017: Orton Wins Royal Rumble
On January 29, 2017, at the Royal Rumble, Randy Orton won the Royal Rumble match for the second time in his career by lastly eliminating Roman Reigns.
2017: Turned on The Wyatt Family
In 2017, Randy Orton betrayed The Wyatt Family after winning the SmackDown Tag Team Championship with Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper.
2017: Second Royal Rumble Win
In 2017, Randy Orton won his second Royal Rumble match.
2018: Won United States Championship
In 2018, Randy Orton won his first United States Championship, achieving the status of the 18th overall Grand Slam Champion and 17th Triple Crown Champion.
January 27, 2019: Royal Rumble Match
On January 27, 2019, at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, Randy Orton entered the Royal Rumble match as the 29th entrant. He eliminated Rey Mysterio, ending their feud, before being eliminated by Andrade.
2019: Feud with AJ Styles and WWE Draft to Raw
In 2019, Randy Orton feuded with AJ Styles and was drafted to Raw as part of the WWE draft. Orton turned face and reignited his feud with Styles.
2019: Role in Changeland
In 2019, Randy Orton had a supporting role in the comedy-drama film "Changeland".
January 26, 2020: Royal Rumble and Heel Turn
On January 26, 2020, at the Royal Rumble, Randy Orton entered the match as the 25th entrant, eliminating Karl Anderson before being eliminated by Edge. Orton then turned heel the following night on Raw, attacking Edge and teasing a Rated-RKO reunion before delivering an RKO and a con-chair-to.
June 2020: Return of the Punt Kick
In June 2020, Randy Orton brought back the Punt Kick as part of the feud between Orton and Edge, using the Punt Kick to defeat Edge at Backlash.
October 26, 2020: Feud with Bray Wyatt Begins
On October 26, 2020, Randy Orton started a feud with Bray Wyatt, who was using his new gimmick as The Fiend, as well as with Wyatt's partner Alexa Bliss.
2021: Broke Record for Most PPV Matches in WWE History
Following his match at the 2021 Survivor Series, Randy Orton surpassed Kane's record for wrestling the most pay-per-view matches in WWE history.
January 10, 2022: RK-Bro Loses Raw Tag Team Championship
On January 10, 2022, on Raw, RK-Bro (Randy Orton and Riddle) lost the Raw Tag Team Championship to Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis), ending their reign at 142 days.
November 20, 2023: Orton Returns to WWE
On the November 20, 2023, episode of Raw, after an 18-month hiatus, it was revealed that Randy Orton would return at Survivor Series: WarGames as the fifth member of Cody Rhodes' team.
January 27, 2024: Royal Rumble
At Royal Rumble on January 27, 2024, Randy Orton failed to capture the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship from Roman Reigns in a fatal four-way match that also involved AJ Styles and LA Knight.
2024: King of the Ring and World Heavyweight Championship Match
In 2024, Randy Orton participated in the King of the Ring tournament, reaching the finals but losing to Gunther. Orton then challenged Gunther to a rematch for the World Heavyweight Championship at Bash in Berlin, but failed to win the title.
March 1, 2025: Orton Returns at Elimination Chamber
Randy Orton returned on March 1, 2025, at Elimination Chamber, attacking Kevin Owens after his match against Sami Zayn.
2025: King of the Ring Tournament
In 2025, Randy Orton participated in the King of the Ring tournament and reached the finals for the second year in a row, but lost to Cody Rhodes at Night of Champions on June 28.
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