Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Randy Orton
How Randy Orton built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Randy Orton is an American professional wrestler, signed to WWE since 2000. Performing on the SmackDown brand, he is considered one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Orton boasts a career spanning over two decades and holds the tied-third most world championship reigns in WWE history, highlighting his significant achievements and longevity in the sport.
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: Signs with WWF and Joins 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) in Louisville, Kentucky to further his training.
February 14, 2001: OVW Hardcore Championship Win
On February 14, 2001, Randy Orton defeated Mr. Black to win the OVW Hardcore Championship for the first time, marking his first title win in his professional wrestling career.
May 1, 2001: WWF House Show Debut
On May 1, 2001, Randy Orton made his debut on WWF house shows, facing Billy Gunn. Orton's first match was a loss to Gunn.
May 5, 2001: Second OVW Hardcore Championship Win
On May 5, 2001, Randy Orton defeated Flash Flanagan to win the OVW Hardcore Championship for the second time. This victory solidified his status as a rising star in OVW.
April 25, 2002: Televised WWF Match Victory
On April 25, 2002, Randy Orton had his first televised WWF match and he secured a victory against Hardcore Holly on SmackDown!, after which he became a face.
September 2002: Trade to Raw Brand
In September 2002, Orton was traded to the Raw brand, where he defeated Stevie Richards in his debut on the show. He subsequently suffered a shoulder injury, sidelining him for months.
2002: Main Roster Debut
In 2002, Orton debuted on the main WWE roster. This was the beginning of his career on the main stage.
2002: OVW Class of 2002
In 2002, Orton's promotion to the main roster made him a member of OVW's now legendary Class of 2002, dubbed as the "OVW 4" alongside John Cena, Brock Lesnar and Dave Bautista.
May 26, 2003: Return and Re-Joining Evolution
On May 26, 2003, Orton returned masked, interfering in a match between Kevin Nash and Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H. He then unmasked himself and re-joined the Evolution stable.
2004: Evolution's Dominance
In 2004, Evolution's dominance reached its peak after Armageddon in 2003, with all the men's titles on Raw held by Evolution members, solidifying their status as the most powerful faction in WWE.
2004: Appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
In 2004, Randy Orton appeared on the talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! to promote Taboo Tuesday.
2004: World Heavyweight Championship Win
In 2004, Randy Orton won WWE's World Heavyweight Championship, becoming the youngest world champion in WWE history. This victory marked a significant milestone in his early career.
2004: Triple H ends Orton's championship reign
In 2004, Triple H ended Randy Orton's championship reign.
2004: "Legend Killer" Gimmick and Intercontinental Championship Reign
Throughout 2004, Orton proclaimed himself the 'Legend Killer,' feuding with wrestling legends. He defeated Rob Van Dam for the Intercontinental Championship at Armageddon, holding the title for 210 days, marking the longest reign in seven years.
January 9, 2005: Elimination Chamber Match at New Year's Revolution
On January 9, 2005, at New Year's Revolution, Orton participated in an Elimination Chamber match for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship, but was the last man eliminated by Triple H after interference from Ric Flair and Batista. This loss prevented Orton from capturing the title.
February 2005: On-screen Relationship with Stacy Keibler
In February 2005, Randy Orton began an on-screen relationship with Stacy Keibler. He also briefly feuded with Christian during this time. This marked a new storyline direction for Orton.
March 2005: Feud with The Undertaker Begins
Throughout March 2005, Orton taunted The Undertaker, claiming he was unafraid of him and vowing to end The Undertaker's undefeated streak at WrestleMania. Orton RKO'd his on-screen girlfriend, Stacy Keibler, and Jake Roberts as part of this feud.
2005: Feud with The Undertaker Continues
In 2005, Orton continued his feud with The Undertaker, ultimately defeating him at SummerSlam with help from his father. He also participated in a casket match at No Mercy, where they appeared to set the Undertaker on fire. Orton was part of Team SmackDown! at Survivor Series, and the feud concluded with a Hell in a Cell match at Armageddon, which The Undertaker won.
2005: Turns face for the first time since 2005
In 2005, Randy Orton turns face for the first time since 2005.
January 29, 2006: Royal Rumble match
On January 29, 2006, at the Royal Rumble, Randy Orton participated in the Royal Rumble match as the final entrant, but was eliminated by Rey Mysterio, who eventually won the match and earned a world championship opportunity at WrestleMania 22.
January 7, 2007: Rated-RKO vs. DX at New Year's Revolution
On January 7, 2007, Rated-RKO defended their World Tag Team Championship against DX at New Year's Revolution. The match ended in a no-contest due to a legitimate injury sustained by Triple H. Afterwards, Rated-RKO were attacked by DX.
February 5, 2007: Triple Threat match on Raw
On February 5, 2007, Edge and Orton were in a triple threat match against Shawn Michaels on Raw to earn a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 23. They lost the match to Michaels.
March 2007: Appearance on Deal or No Deal
In March 2007, Randy Orton appeared alongside Edge, John Cena and Bobby Lashley on the game show Deal or No Deal.
2007: Character Change to Unstable and Treacherous Personality
In late 2007, in the midst of his second WWE Championship reign, Randy Orton's character changed to a more unstable and treacherous personality, adopting the nicknames "the Viper" and "the Apex Predator."
January 14, 2008: Hardy performs Swanton Bomb off the Raw set onto Orton
On January 14, 2008, during his feud with Jeff Hardy, Jeff Hardy performed a Swanton Bomb off the Raw set onto Randy Orton.
January 2008: Orton Prefers Being a Heel
In January 2008, Randy Orton stated that he prefers playing the villain (heel), as it is easier and more natural for him.
January 19, 2009: Orton punts Mr. McMahon in the head on Raw
On January 19, 2009, Randy Orton confronted Mr. McMahon and Stephanie McMahon on Raw. Orton punted Mr. McMahon in the head after Mr. McMahon threatened to fire Orton.
2009: Decision to Shave Head Bald
In 2009, Randy Orton made the decision to shave his head bald, to give himself a more menacing look.
2009: Replaced in The Marine 2
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 Win
In 2009, Randy Orton won the Royal Rumble, marking a significant achievement in his WWE career and earning him a title opportunity at WrestleMania.
January 11, 2010: Orton wins triple threat match for WWE Championship opportunity
On January 11, 2010, Randy Orton won a triple threat match on Raw with assistance from Rhodes and DiBiase, earning the right to challenge Sheamus for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble.
January 30, 2011: Royal Rumble match against The Miz
On January 30, 2011, Randy Orton received his rematch against The Miz at the Royal Rumble, but lost.
2011: Feud with CM Punk and The New Nexus
In 2011, Randy Orton failed to win a WWE Championship number one contender Elimination Chamber match after being eliminated by CM Punk at Elimination Chamber on February 20. He then punted and injured all members of The New Nexus. At WrestleMania XXVII on April 3, Orton defeated Punk. He was then drafted to the SmackDown brand and later beat Punk in a Last Man Standing Match at Extreme Rules on May 1, ending his feud with The New Nexus.
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 and attacks Wade Barrett
On January 27, 2012, Randy Orton returned to the ring on SmackDown and attacked Wade Barrett, reigniting their feud after being sidelined for four weeks due to a herniated disc caused by Barrett.
2012: Banning of the Punt Kick
In 2012, The WWE management banned Orton's punt kick due to the ease of imitation by viewers and the risk of injury should the move be botched.
February 17, 2013: Orton competes in Elimination Chamber match
On February 17, 2013, at Elimination Chamber, Randy Orton participated in an Elimination Chamber match, eliminating Mark Henry and Chris Jericho before being the last man eliminated by Jack Swagger.
2013: WWE World Heavyweight Champion
In 2013, Orton unified the World Heavyweight Championship with the WWE Championship, becoming the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, cementing his legacy in WWE.
2013: Replaced in The Marine 3: Homefront
In 2013, Randy Orton signed on to star in the action film The Marine 3: Homefront but was replaced by The Miz due to his checkered military career.
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 Seth Rollins, Big Show, and Kane.
2015: Starring Role in The Condemned 2
In 2015, Randy Orton starred in the action film The Condemned 2.
July 7, 2016: Orton revealed as Lesnar's Summerslam opponent
On July 7, 2016, during an 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, a former Navy SEAL and leader of a militia group, in an episode of the USA action series Shooter.
January 29, 2017: Orton wins the Royal Rumble
On January 29, 2017, Randy Orton won the Royal Rumble match for the second time in his career by lastly eliminating Roman Reigns.
2017: Second Royal Rumble Win
In 2017, Orton won his second Royal Rumble, further solidifying his status as a top performer in WWE. This win earned him another main event opportunity at WrestleMania.
January 27, 2019: Orton participates in the Royal Rumble match.
On January 27, 2019, at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, Randy Orton entered the namesake match at number 29, eliminating Rey Mysterio before he was himself eliminated by Andrade, ending their feud.
2019: Feud with Styles and draft to Raw
In 2019, Randy Orton feuded with AJ Styles, losing to him at WrestleMania 35. He also feuded with Kofi Kingston over the WWE Championship but did not win the title. Orton was drafted to Raw as part of the 2019 WWE draft. On November 11, Orton turned face by attacking Styles.
2019: Supporting Role in Changeland
In 2019, Randy Orton had a supporting role in the comedy-drama film Changeland.
January 26, 2020: Orton enters Royal Rumble, attacks Edge
On January 26, 2020, at the Royal Rumble, Randy Orton entered the match and eliminated Karl Anderson before being eliminated by Edge. The next night on Raw, Orton attacked Edge, turning heel again and starting a feud.
June 2020: Return of the Punt Kick
In June 2020, the punt kick was brought back as part of the feud between Randy Orton and Edge, where Orton used the Punt Kick to defeat Edge at Backlash. Orton would then start using the move regularly again.
October 26, 2020: Feud with Bray Wyatt/The Fiend
On October 26, 2020, three weeks before losing his title, Randy Orton began a feud with Bray Wyatt, who was now using The Fiend gimmick, and Alexa Bliss.
2020: Start of Clothing Brand Slthr
In 2020, Randy Orton and his wife Kimberly started a clothing brand called Slthr.
2021: Most PPV Matches in WWE
As of 2021, Randy Orton holds the record for the most pay-per-view (PPV) matches in WWE history. This milestone demonstrates his longevity and prominence in the company.
January 10, 2022: Loss of Raw Tag Team Championship
On January 10, 2022, 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.
September 2023: Riddle's Release and End of RK-Bro
In September 2023, during Randy Orton's hiatus due to injury, Riddle was released from WWE, effectively ending the RK-Bro tag team.
November 20, 2023: Orton's Return at Survivor Series: WarGames
On the November 20, 2023, episode of Raw, it was revealed that after an 18-month hiatus, Randy Orton would return at Survivor Series: WarGames on November 25 as the fifth member of Cody Rhodes' team.
January 27, 2024: Failed Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Capture
On January 27, 2024, at Royal Rumble, Randy Orton failed to capture the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship from Roman Reigns in a fatal four-way match also involving AJ Styles and LA Knight.
2024: King of the Ring Tournament and World Heavyweight Championship Match
In 2024, Randy Orton participated in the King of the Ring tournament, losing in the finals. He also challenged Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship at Bash in Berlin on August 31 but failed to win the title.
March 1, 2025: Orton's Return at Elimination Chamber
Randy Orton returned on March 1, 2025, at Elimination Chamber, attacking Kevin Owens after his match against Sami Zayn, following an attack by Owens that wrote him off television.
2025: King of the Ring Tournament Participation
In 2025, following Backlash, Randy Orton participated in the King of the Ring tournament as part of the SmackDown brand, reaching the finals for the second year in a row but lost to Cody Rhodes at Night of Champions on June 28.
January 31, 2026: Royal Rumble Appearance
On January 31, 2026, Randy Orton entered the Royal Rumble match at #29, eliminating Je'Von Evans before being eliminated by Gunther. He was part of the final three entrants in the match.
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