Blue Demon Jr. vs. El Hijo Del Santo.

Lucha libre (Spanish: Free wrestling, lit. "free fight") is a term used in Mexico, and other Spanish-speaking countries, for a form of professional wrestling that has developed within those countries. Although the term nowadays refers exclusively to professional wrestling, it was originally used in the same style as the English term "freestyle wrestling", referring to an amateur wrestling style without the restrictions of Greco-Roman wrestling.

Mexican wrestling is characterized by colorful masks, rapid sequences of holds and maneuvers, as well as "high-flying" maneuvers, some of which have been adopted in the United States. The wearing of masks has developed special significance, and matches are sometimes contested in which the loser must permanently remove his mask, which is a wager with a high degree of weight attached. Tag team wrestling is especially prevalent in lucha libre, particularly matches with three-member teams, called trios.

Lucha libre wrestlers are known as luchadores (singular luchador) ("fighter(s)"). They usually come from extended wrestling families who form their proper stables. One such line integrated to the United States professional wrestling scene is Los Guerreros.

Lucha libre has also transcended the language barrier to some extent as evidenced by works such as Los Luchadores, ¡Mucha Lucha!, and Nacho Libre. It also appears in other pop culture such as mainstream advertising: In Canada Telus' Koodo Mobile Post Paid cell service uses a cartoon lucha libre wrestler as its spokesperson/mascot.

Rules[link]

Luchador Místico

The rules of lucha libre are similar to American singles matches. Matches can be won by pinning the opponent to the mat for the count of three, making him submit, knocking him out of the ring for a predetermined count (generally twenty) or by disqualification. Using the ropes for leverage is illegal, and once a luchador is on the ropes, his opponent must release any holds and he will not be able to pin him.

Disqualifications occur when an opponent uses an illegal hold, move (such as the piledriver, which is an illegal move in lucha libre and grounds for immediate disqualification, though some variations are legal in certain promotions), or weapon, hits his opponent in the groin (faul), uses outside interference, attacks the referee, or rips his opponent's mask completely off. Most matches are two out of three falls (dos de tres caídas), which had been abandoned for title bouts in North America and Japan in the 1970s.

A rule unique to lucha libre applies during tag team matches, which is when the legal wrestler of a team touches the floor outside the ring, a teammate may enter the ring to take his place as the legal competitor. As the legal wrestler can step to the floor willingly, there is essentially no need for an actual tag to a teammate to bring him into a match. This often allows for much more frenetic action to take place in the ring than would otherwise be possible under standard tag rules.

History of lucha libre in Mexico[link]

Arena Mexico on Dr. Lavista Street in Colonia Doctores in Mexico City

In the early 1900s, professional wrestling was mostly a regional phenomenon in Mexico until Salvador Lutteroth founded the Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre (Mexican Wrestling Enterprise) in 1933, giving the sport a national foothold for the first time. The promotion company flourished and quickly became the premier spot for wrestlers. As television surfaced as a viable entertainment medium during the 1950s, Lutteroth was then able to broadcast his wrestling across the nation, subsequently yielding a popularity explosion for the sport. Moreover, it was the emergence of television that allowed Lutteroth to promote lucha libre’s first breakout superstar into a national pop-culture phenomenon.^[1]

In 1942, lucha libre would be forever changed when a silver-masked wrestler, known simply as El Santo (The Saint), first stepped into the ring. He made his debut in Mexico City by winning an 8-man battle royal. The public became enamored by the mystique and secrecy of Santo's personality, and he quickly became the most popular luchador in Mexico. His wrestling career spanned nearly five decades, during which he became a folk hero and a symbol of justice for the common man through his appearances in comic books and movies, while the sport received an unparalleled degree of mainstream attention.^[2]

Other legendary luchadores who helped popularize the sport include Gory Guerrero, who is credited with developing moves and holds which are now commonplace in professional wrestling; Blue Demon, a contemporary of Santo and possibly his greatest rival; and Mil Máscaras (Man of A Thousand Masks) who is credited with introducing the high flying moves of lucha libre to audiences around the world. He achieved international fame as one of the first high-flyers, something he was not considered in Mexico, where he fell under the mat-power category.^[3][4][5]

Lucha libre style of wrestling[link]

Rey Mysterio Jr. hitting the "619" on Eddie Guerrero

A lucha libre tag team match

Luchadores are traditionally more agile and perform more aerial maneuvers than professional wrestlers in the U.S. who more often rely on power and hard strikes to subdue their opponents. The difference in styles is due to the independent evolution of the sport in Mexico beginning in the 1930s and the fact that luchadores in the cruiserweight division (peso semicompleto) are often the most popular wrestlers in Mexican lucha libre.^[6] Luchadores execute characteristic high flying attacks by using the wrestling ring's ropes to catapult themselves towards their opponents, using intricate combinations in rapid-fire succession, and applying complex submission holds.

Lucha libre has several different weight classes, many catered to smaller agile fighters, who often make their debuts in their mid-teens. This system enables dynamic high-flying luchadores such as Rey Mysterio, Jr., Juventud Guerrera, Super Crazy and Místico, to develop years of experience by their mid-twenties.^[7] A number of prominent Japanese wrestlers also started their careers training in Mexican lucha libre before becoming stars in Japan. These include Gran Hamada, Satoru Sayama, Jushin Liger, and Último Dragón. With so many weight classes, Mexico has the largest number of professional wrestlers in the world.^{[citation needed]}

Lucha libre is also known for its tag team wrestling matches. The teams are often made up of three members, instead of two as is common in the U.S. These three man teams participate in what are called trios matches, for tag team championship belts. Of these three members, one member is designated the captain. A successful fall in a trios match can be achieved by either pinning the captain of the opposing team or by pinning both of the other members. A referee can also stop the match because of "excessive punishment". He can then award the match to the aggressors. Falls often occur simultaneously, which adds to the extremely stylized nature of the action. In addition, a wrestler can opt to roll out of the ring in lieu of tagging a partner or simply be knocked out of the ring, at which point one of his partners may enter. As a result, the tag team formula and pacing which has developed in U.S. tag matches is different from lucha libre because the race to tag is not a priority. There are also two-man tag matches (parejas), as well as "four on four" matches (atomicos).^[8]

Masks[link]

The mask of Blue Demon

The mask of El Santo

Masks (máscaras) have been used dating back to the beginnings of lucha libre in the early part of the 20th century, and have a historical significance to Mexico in general, dating to the days of the Aztecs.^[9] Early masks were very simple with basic colors to distinguish the wrestler. In modern lucha libre, masks are colorfully designed to evoke the images of animals, gods, ancient heroes, and other archetypes, whose identity the luchador takes on during a performance. Virtually all wrestlers in Mexico will start their careers wearing masks, but over the span of their careers, a large number of them will be unmasked. Sometimes, a wrestler slated for retirement will be unmasked in his final bout or at the beginning of a final tour, signifying loss of identity as that character. Sometimes, losing the mask signifies the end of a gimmick with the wrestler moving on to a new gimmick and mask. The mask is considered "sacred" to a degree, so much so that fully removing an opponent's mask during a match is grounds for disqualification.^[10]

During their careers, masked luchadores will often be seen in public wearing their masks and keeping up the culture of Lucha Libre, while other masked wrestlers will interact with the public and press normally. However, they will still go to great lengths to conceal their true identities; in effect, the mask is synonymous with the luchador. El Santo continued wearing his mask after retirement, revealed his face briefly only in old age, and was buried wearing his silver mask.

More recently, the masks luchadores wear have become iconic symbols of Mexican culture. Contemporary artists like Francisco Delgado and Xavier Garza incorporate wrestler masks in their paintings.^[11]

Although masks are a feature of lucha libre, it is a misconception that every Mexican wrestler uses one. There have been several maskless wrestlers who have been successful, particularly Tarzán López, Gory Guerrero, Perro Aguayo and Negro Casas. Formerly masked wrestlers who lost their masks, such as Satánico, Cien Caras, Cibernético and others, have had continued success despite the mask losses.

Luchas de Apuestas[link]

El Oriental's elaborate mask was lost in a lucha de apuesta.

With the importance placed on masks in lucha libre, losing the mask to an opponent is seen as the ultimate insult, and can at times seriously hurt the career of the unmasked wrestler. Putting one's mask on the line against a hated opponent is a tradition in lucha libre as a means to settle a heated feud between two or more wrestlers. In these battles, called luchas de apuestas ("matches with wagers"), the wrestlers "wager" either their mask or their hair.^[12]

"In a lucha de apuesta (betting match), wrestlers make a public bet on the outcome of the match. The most common forms are the mask-against-mask, hair-against-hair, or mask-against-hair matches. A wrestler who loses his or her mask has to remove the mask after the match. A wrestler who loses their hair is shaved immediately afterward."^[13] If the true identity of a person losing his mask is previously unknown, it is customary for that person to reveal his real name, hometown and years as a professional upon unmasking.

The first lucha de apuestas was presented on 14 July 1940 at Arena México. The defending champion Murciélago (Velásquez) was so much lighter than his challenger (Octavio Gaona), he requested a further condition before he would sign the contract: Octavio Gaona would have to put his hair on the line. Octavio Gaona won the match and Murciélago unmasked, giving birth to a tradition in lucha libre.^[14]

Variants[link]

• Máscara contra máscara ("mask versus mask"): two masked luchadores bet their masks, the loser is unmasked by the winner. This occurred in the WWE, where Sin Cara Azul the blue-masked luchador beat the black-masked luchador Sin Cara Negro on the October 21, 2011 edition of SmackDown (taped October 18, 2011).
• Máscara contra cabellera ("mask versus hair"): a masked wrestler and an unmasked one compete, often after the unmasked one has lost his mask to the masked one in a prior bout. If the masked luchador wins, the unmasked one shaves his head as a sign of humiliation. If the unmasked luchador is the winner, he keeps his hair and the loser is unmasked.
• Cabellera contra cabellera ("hair versus hair"): the loser of the match has his head shaved bald. This can occur both between unmasked wrestlers and between masked wrestlers who have to remove their mask enough to be shaved after the match.
• Máscara o cabellera contra campeonato ("mask or hair versus title"): if the masked or haired luchador loses, the champion unmasks him. But if the champion loses, the luchador is crowned the new champion. An example of this occurred in the WWE, where Rey Mysterio the masked luchador beat the Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho at WWE The Bash.
• Máscara o cabellera contra retiro ("mask or hair versus career"): if the masked or haired luchador loses, his opponent wins the title. But if he wins, his opponent must retire
• Carrera contra carrera ("career versus career"): Loser must retire.

Weight classes[link]

A wrestling mask graffiti in Madrid, Spain

Since Lucha Libre has its roots more in Latin American professional wrestling than North American professional wrestling it retains some of the basics of the Latin American version such as more weight classes than professional wrestling in North America. Lucha Libre has a detailed weight class system patterned after boxing. Each weight class has an official upper limit, but examples of wrestlers who are technically too heavy to hold their title can be found. The following weight classes exist in Lucha Libre, as defined by the "Comisión de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F." (the Mexico City Boxing and Wrestling Commission), the main regulatory body in Mexico:^[15]

Other characteristics[link]

Luchador Rey Mysterio

Luchadores are traditionally divided into two categories, rudos (lit. "tough guys", who are "bad guys", or "heels", literally "rude ones"), who bend or break the rules, and técnicos (the "good guys", or "faces", literally "technicians"), who play by the rules and their moves are much more complex and spectacular. Técnicos tend to have very formal combat styles, close to Greco-Roman wrestling and martial arts techniques, whereas rudos tend to be brawlers. Técnicos playing the "good guy" role, and rudos playing the "bad guy" role is very characteristic of Mexican lucha libre, which differs from U.S. professional wrestling, where many technical wrestlers play the role of heels (e.g., Kurt Angle), and many brawlers play as "faces" (e.g., Stone Cold Steve Austin).^[16] Although rudos often resort to using underhanded tactics, they are still expected to live up to a luchador code of honor. For instance, a luchador who has lost a wager match would prefer to endure the humiliation of being unmasked or having his head shaved rather than live with the shame that would come from not honoring his bet. Rudos have also been known to make the transition into técnicos after a career defining moment, as was the case with Blue Demon, who decided to become a técnico after his wrestling partner, Black Shadow, was unmasked by the legendary Santo. Tag teams are sometimes composed of both rudos and técnicos in what are called parejas increibles (incredible pairings). Parejas increibles highlight the conflict between a luchador's desire to win and his contempt for his partner.^[17]

A staple gimmick present in lucha libre since the 1950s is exótico, basically a gay character in drag. It is argued that the gimmick has recently attained a more flamboyant outlook.^[18]

Luchadores, like their foreign counterparts, seek to obtain a campeonato (championship) through winning key wrestling matches. Since many feuds and shows are built around luchas de apuestas (matches with wagers), title matches play a less prominent role in Mexico than in the U.S. Titles can be defended as few as one time per year and wrestlers usually only wear their belts during big events and title defenses.

Lucha libre uses a more specific weight class system to classify titles. Popular weight classes include: heavyweight, light-heavyweight, welterweight and middleweight. Lightweight and super-lightweight titles are also used. The Cruiserweight division is often associated with the lucha libre style of wrestling, even though in Mexico, the term light-heavyweight (peso semicompleto) is used due to a different weight class system. In recent years, weight classes have been mostly nominal and there are occasions when a wrestler will have titles in two different weight classes. However, title matches are still major events and many shows are built around them.

The two most popular lucha libre promotions are Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), which was founded in 1933, and Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA).

Lucha libre is currently experiencing a boom in popularity due to the emergence of a new generation of stars, most notably, a masked wrestler named Místico now known as Sin Cara, whose high-flying style and technique attracted record crowds in Mexico and inspired activists around the world such as Russian punk-rock collective Pussy Riot before he signed with WWE.

Female professional wrestlers[link]

Female wrestlers or luchadoras also compete in Mexican lucha libre. The CMLL World Women's Championship is the top title for CMLL's women's division; while the AAA Reina de Reinas Championship is a championship defended in an annual tournament by female wrestlers in AAA. AAA also recognizes a World Mixed Tag Team Championship, contested by tag teams composed of a luchador and luchadora respectively. In 2000, the all female promotion company Lucha Libre Femenil (LLF) was founded.^[19]

Mini-Estrellas[link]

[[Gile:Cuije.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Cuije one of Mexico's Mini-Estrellas]] Lucha Libre has a division called the "Mini-Estrella" or "Minis" division, which unlike North American midget professional wrestling is not just for dwarves but also for luchadores that are short, originally the limit for the Mini division was 5 feet but in recent years wrestlers such as Pequeño Olímpico have worked the Minis division despite being 1.69 m (5 ft 6 ¹⁄₂ in) tall.^[20] The Minis division was first popularized in the 1970s with wrestlers like Pequeño Luke and Arturito (a wrestler with an R2-D2 gimmick) becoming noticed for their high flying abilities. In the late 1980s/early 1990s CMLL created the first actual "Minis" division, the brainchild of then-CMLL booker Antonio Peña. CMLL created the CMLL World Mini-Estrella Championship in 1992, making it the oldest Minis championship still in existence today.^[21] Minis are often patterned after "regular sized" wrestlers and are sometimes called "mascotas" ("pets") if they team with the regular sized version.^[20]

Luchadores in the U.S.[link]

In 1994, AAA promoted the When Worlds Collide pay-per-view in conjunction with the U.S. promotion company World Championship Wrestling (WCW). When Worlds Collide introduced U.S. audiences to many of the top luchadores in Mexico at the time.

In recent years, several luchadores have found success in the United States. Notable luchadores who achieved success in the U.S. are Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio, Jr., Juventud Guerrera, La Parka, Super Crazy and Psicosis.

Lucha libre shows are broadcast weekly in the U.S. on the Galavisión and LA TV Spanish language cable networks.

Additional information[link]

In Peru the term "cachascán" (from "catch as can") is used. Wrestlers are called cachascanistas. In Argentina, in addition to lucha libre, professional wrestling is also referred to as "catch", or catch as catch can.^[22] In Bolivian Lucha Libre, wrestling Cholitas — female wrestlers dressed up as indigenous Aymara — are popular.^[23][24]

Promotions using lucha libre rules[link]

Mexico[link]

• Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL)
• Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA)
• International Wrestling Revolution Group (IWRG)
• Universal Wrestling Association (defunct)
• World Wrestling Association (Promociones Mora)

Japan[link]

• Michinoku Pro Wrestling
• Osaka Pro Wrestling
• Toryumon / Dragon Gate
• Universal Lucha Libre (defunct)

United Kingdom[link]

• Lucha Britannia

United States[link]

• Chikara
• Incredibly Strange Wrestling
• Lucha Libre USA

Puerto Rico[link]

• World Wrestling Council (WWC)
• International Wrestling Association (IWA)

Lucha libre in popular culture[link]

Lucha libre has crossed over into popular culture, especially in Mexico where it is the second most popular sport after Football (soccer).^[25] Outside of Mexico Lucha Libre has also crossed over into popular culture, especially in movies and television.

Movies and television[link]

The motion picture Nacho Libre, starring Jack Black as a priest-turned-luchador was inspired by the story of real life Priest turned Luchador Father Sergio Gutiérrez Benítez who wrestled as Fray Tormenta to make money for his church. The American horror movie Wrestlemaniac is centered around the story of an insane luchador with abnormal strength; the titular villain is played by luchador Rey Misterio, Sr. Rob Zombie's animated film The Haunted World of El Superbeasto stars a Mexican luchador named El Superbeasto. The candid, heart-wrenching tale of Carmen Rosa, a Bolivian luchadora, is told in Betty M. Park's 2009 documentary 'Mamachas del Ring'.

Television has also seen shows inspired by Lucha Libre, especially animated series such as ¡Mucha Lucha!, Cartoon Network also produced an animated mini-series based on luchador El Santo.^[26] The world of Lucha Libre has also been used as inspirations for episodes of television series, most notably the 200th episode of CSI, "Mascara" centered on the investigation of visiting luchadores with connections to a murder. The WB television series Angel episode entitled "The Cautionary Tale of Numero Cinco" told the story of a family of luchadores called "Los Hermanos Números" who also fought evil. Angel must help the remaining brother, Numero Cinco, defeat the Aztec warrior-demon that killed his four brothers. Lucha Libre has also inspired television shows outside of the United States; In the British TV show Justin Lee Collins: The Wrestler, Colins competes as the rudo El Glorioso, or The Glorious One, against the exotico Cassandro in The Roundhouse, London, ultimately losing and being de-masked.^[27] The animated series "Jackie Chan Adventures" has a character named "El Toro Fuerte"

Games and print media[link]

Many fighting video games have featured characters based on luchadores, featuring both the masked aspects and the different wrestling style of Lucha Libre compared to traditional professional wrestling. In Tekken the characters King and Armor King both wear the "Jaguar Mask", while the latest trailer for Tekken Tag Tournament 2 showed a female luchador, with similarities to Rey Mysterio. In other fighting games characters are luchadores fighting in the tournaments for a living such as: El Fuerte from Street Fighter IV, Ramon, Tizoc, and Raiden from The King of Fighters, Lisa from Dead or Alive and El Blaze from Virtua Fighter. A Japanese wrestler, Takuya Sugi has actually wrestled as "El Blazer" in Japan.

The 2D wrestling arcade game "Saturday Night Slam Masters" released by Japanese game company Capcom in 1993 featured a final boss character called "El Escorpión" (The Scorpion), whose appearance was inspired by a legendary Mexican "Luchador" called Tinieblas. The character's name in the original Japanese edition of the game was "The Astro" (アストロ, Asutoro). One of the regular characters, El Stingray, is also a luchador.

In the Music/Rhythm Game DJ Hero, a playable character named "Jugglernort" is a buff ex-Luchador Disc Jockey originating from Mexico. The game description explains that he got thrown in prison for "throwing beats" and he learned from then on how to "spin beats". It also states that he still has a strong suplex he can perform on anyone who crosses his path.

In other games Luchadors are not part of the game but the cultural inspiration is still seen, for instance in the video game No More Heroes for the Nintendo Wii, the main character, Travis Touchdown occasionally finds luchador masks throughout the game, which re-teach him wrestling moves that you can use from then on. The game also features trading cards that feature the masks of past, legendary luchadores. Suda 51, game developer and head of Grasshopper Studios is known for his fascination of Lucha Libre and often includes them in his game, such as the character MASK de Smith in killer7 and was responsible for the collectible Lucha Libre masks in No More Heroes.

In April 2010, Konami announced Lucha Libre AAA: Héroes del Ring, which is the first major wrestling video game solely focused on Lucha Libre.

While Luchador comics are a well known phenomenon in Mexico, featuring wrestlers from El Santo to Cibernético, comics outside of Mexico also draw on the images and culture of Lucha Libre. The comic Sonambulo revolves around a crime fighting luchador who possesses supernatural powers. In the rock and roll comic series The Amazing Joy Buzzards El Campeon is a luchador genie who is summoned by using a magic amulet by those in need. Doctor Eggman, the main antagonist in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, wrestles as "El Gran Gordo" (Spanish for, roughly, "The Big Fat One") in the Sonic X comicseries.^[28] The martial arts manga Tenjho Tenge includes a character named Kōji Sagara who fights in the lucha libre style. The anime Air Master features a luchador style character called Lucha Master.

In the 2011 video game Saints Row: The Third, one of the three gangs you tackle is a group of heavy weapon wielding Luchadores. One of your allies is an ex lucha libre wrestler, quitting after being unmasked by his former tag-team partner Killbane - the leader of the Luchadore gang.

Lucha libre inspirations[link]

Nike has designed a line of lucha libre inspired athletic shoes.^[29] Coca-Cola developed a Blue Demon Full Throttle energy drink named after the luchador Blue Demon, Jr. who is also the spokesperson for the drink in Mexico.^[30] Coca-Cola also introduced "Gladiator" in Mexico, an energy drink that sponsored CMLL events and who featured CMLL wrestlers such as Místico and Último Guerrero.^[31]

The Nashville-based Anglo band Los Straitjackets adopted personalized luchador masks as part of their stage show in the mid-1990s, and have since acquired a large Mexican following.

Members of the Russian feminist punk-rock collective Pussy Riot wear lucha libre inspired masks to obscure their identities during politically provocative impromptu performances in Moscow. Members of the Pussy Riot solidarity movement don luchadore masks to show their support for Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, members of the group detained for their role in Pussy Riot's controversial performance in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.

See also[link]

• Luchador film
• Luta livre

Notes[link]

• Paul Allatson (2007). Key Terms in Latino/a Cultural And Literary Studies [1]. Blackwell Publishing. ISBN 1-4051-0250-0.

References[link]

External links[link]

• luchalords
• Lucha Wiki
• Pro-Wrestling Title Histories of Mexico

v t e Professional wrestling in Mexico Major promotions Asistencia Asesoría y Administración Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre Independent promotions International Wrestling League International Wrestling Revolution Group Perros del Mal World Wrestling Association Other promotions Defunct promotions Universal Wrestling Association Universal Lucha Libre Lucha Libre culture Mini-Estrella Weight divisions Masks Luchas de Apuestas Exóticos

Randy Orton
Randy Orton at WWE Tribute to the Troops in 2010.
Ring name(s)	Randy Orton
Billed height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)[1]
Billed weight	235 lb (107 kg)[1]
Born	(1980-04-01) April 1, 1980 (age 32)[2][3] Knoxville, Tennessee[2][3]
Resides	Saint Charles, Missouri[4]
Billed from	St. Louis, Missouri[1]
Trained by	"Cowboy" Bob Orton South Broadway Athletic Club[5] Mid Missouri Wrestling Alliance Ohio Valley Wrestling[5]
Debut	March 18, 2000[6]

Randal Keith "Randy" Orton^[7][8] (born April 1, 1980)^[3] is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to WWE wrestling on its SmackDown brand. Orton is a third-generation professional wrestler; his grandfather Bob Orton, Sr., father "Cowboy" Bob Orton, and uncle Barry O all competed in the professional wrestling industry.^[2][9]

Before being promoted to the main World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) roster, Orton trained in and wrestled for Mid-Missouri Wrestling Association-Southern Illinois Conference Wrestling for a month. He was then sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), where Orton held the OVW Hardcore Championship on two separate occasions.^[10]

After signing with WWF, Orton became a member of the stable Evolution, which quickly led to a WWE Intercontinental Championship reign, his first title with the company.^[11] Orton also acquired the moniker "The Legend Killer" during a storyline where he began disrespecting Hall of Famers and physically attacking veterans of the industry outside of appropriate restrictions.^[1] At age 24, Orton became the youngest person ever to hold the World Heavyweight Championship.^[12] With this win, Orton departed from Evolution and a feud with his former stablemates began. In 2006, Orton joined forces with Edge in a tag team known as Rated-RKO. Together, Orton and Edge held the World Tag Team Championship.^[13] After the team disbanded, during mid-2007, Orton gained two WWE Championship reigns in one night.^[14] Orton formed the group The Legacy with Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase in 2008, however, they would disband in 2010 with Orton returning to singles competition. Overall, Orton has won eleven total championships in WWE, including being a nine-time world champion, having won the World Heavyweight Championship three times and the WWE Championship six times. He is also the winner of the 2009 Royal Rumble match.^[15]

Early life[link]

Orton was born on April 1, 1980, in Knoxville, Tennessee.^[2][3] Son to Elaine and "Cowboy" Bob Orton,^[16] he has two younger siblings—Becky and Nathan.^[17] Knowing from experience the hardships of life as a professional wrestler, Orton's parents tried to convince him to stay away from the business,^[2] and his father warned him that life in the ring meant a life on the road, away from family.^[1] Orton attended Hazelwood Central High School, where he was an amateur wrestler.^[1][2] After graduating from Hazelwood in 1998,^[8] Orton enlisted with the United States Marine Corps. At the base, he received a bad conduct discharge a year later after going AWOL on two separate occasions and disobeying an order from a commanding officer.^[18] Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Private First Class Orton was tried and convicted under a special court-martial and was put into a military prison for thirty-eight days.^[16]

Professional wrestling career[link]

Training[link]

Orton made his wrestling debut in 2000 at the Mid-Missouri Wrestling Association-Southern Illinois Conference Wrestling (MMWA-SICW) in St. Louis, Missouri, an offshoot of the historic St. Louis Wrestling Club headed by Sam Muchnick.^[6] There, he was trained by both the promotion and his father, "Cowboy" Bob Orton.^[16] He wrestled for the promotion for one month,^[19] where he performed with wrestlers such as Ace Strange and Mark Bland.^[6][19] Orton also refereed a few matches with World Organized Wrestling, a promotion where his uncle Barry Orton worked.^[5]

In 2001, Orton signed a deal with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and was sent to its developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) in Louisville, Kentucky, where he continued his training. During his time in OVW, Orton wrestled the likes of Rico Constantino and The Prototype and teamed with Bobby Eaton during a tag team title tournament. He won the OVW Hardcore Championship on two separate occasions by defeating Mr. Black on February 14, 2001, and Flash Flanagan on May 5, 2001.^[10]

World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment[link]

Evolution and World Heavyweight Champion (2002–2005)[link]

One of Orton's first official WWF appearances was March 16, 2002 at WrestleMania X8's Fan Axxess, where he was defeated by Tommy Dreamer. Orton's first televised WWF match was against Hardcore Holly on SmackDown! on April 25, 2002.^[20] Soon after, Orton became a fan favorite and was placed in a series of matches with Holly.^{[21][22][23][24]} In September 2002, Orton was drafted to the Raw brand, where he defeated Stevie Richards in his debut on the show.^[25][26] Within weeks of his debut on the Raw brand, Orton suffered a shoulder injury,^[27] leaving him sidelined for months.^[28][29] While recovering, Orton still appeared on Raw in his own Randy News Network segment, a weekly vignette featuring him talking about his condition.^[28][30] The show interrupted other segments of Raw programming, which caused Orton to slowly transition himself into a narcissistic and self-centered villain.^[31]

After his injury healed, Orton joined the Evolution stable, which consisted of Ric Flair, Triple H, and relative newcomer, Dave Batista. The group was pushed on Raw from 2003 to 2004, with the height of their dominance occurring after Armageddon in 2003 when all of the men's titles on Raw were held by the members of Evolution.^[32] In 2003, Orton spent much of his time helping Triple H overcome challenges for the World Heavyweight Championship.^[33][34][35] Orton joined Triple H in a six-man Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam, involved primarily to secure Triple H's title defense, and was eliminated by Goldberg.^[36]

Orton is the youngest World Heavyweight Champion in WWE history.

Afterwards, Orton proclaimed himself "The Legend Killer", a young upstart who was so talented that he touted himself as the future of professional wrestling. He embarked on numerous storyline feuds with "legendary" wrestlers and gained infamy for his blatant disrespect of many older, well-respected names in wrestling history. With the help of his stablemate and mentor Ric Flair, he defeated Shawn Michaels at Unforgiven in the first of many high profile matches billed as "Legend versus Legend Killer."^[37] Orton then spat in the face of Harley Race on the April 26, 2004, episode of Raw.^[38][39]

During this time, Orton began using the move that would become his signature finisher, the RKO, a jumping cutter named after his initials.^[40] Orton soon defeated Rob Van Dam for the WWE Intercontinental Championship at Armageddon on December 14, 2003.^[41] With this win, Orton started the longest Intercontinental title reign in seven years, holding the title for seven months.^[42]

Orton continued to establish himself as a "Legend Killer" throughout 2004, challenging the semi-retired wrestler Mick Foley. Famed for his hardcore matches and ability to handle excruciating pain, Foley offered Orton a hardcore "Legend versus Legend Killer" match if Orton would put his Intercontinental Championship on the line. In a bloody match involving thumbtacks and barbed wire, Orton defeated Foley.^[43] Two months later at Bad Blood, he successfully retained the Intercontinental Championship against Shelton Benjamin.

In July, at Vengeance, Edge defeated Orton to win the Intercontinental Championship, ending Orton's seven month title reign.^[44] After losing the Intercontinental Championship, Orton became the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship after winning a 20 man battle royal on July 26.^[45] At SummerSlam, Orton defeated Chris Benoit for the championship. Orton became the youngest person ever to hold the title in WWE history at the age of 24.^[46] Benoit congratulated Orton after the match, shaking his hand for showing the ability to "be a man."^[47]

The following night, after Orton successfully defended the championship against Benoit in a rematch, Evolution threw Orton a mock celebration, only to reveal that they were not pleased with his new victory.

Rated RKO (2005–2007)[link]

While Batista had Orton propped on his shoulders in elation, Triple H gave him a pleased thumbs up and then abruptly changed it to a thumbs-down, which was followed by Batista's dropping Orton to the mat.^[48] Ric Flair and Batista attacked Orton in the ring as Triple H revealed his jealousy for Orton's title. He ordered Orton to hand over the championship, but he refused, spitting in Triple H's face and hitting him with the title belt.^[49] Orton's break-up with Evolution began a new storyline for him as a crowd favorite when he continued to feud with his former stablemates.^[49][50] A month later, Orton lost his championship to Triple H at Unforgiven.^[51] Seeking revenge, Orton lashed out at Evolution members, catching them by surprise during a show by giving them a large cake as a make-up gift, which he came out of to beat and humiliate the group.^[52] At Taboo Tuesday, Orton defeated Ric Flair in a Steel Cage match. After this, Orton experienced another push, becoming General Manager of the Raw brand for a week following a match stipulation at Survivor Series where he picked up the win for his team by last pinning Triple H in a 4 on 4 Survivor Series match.^[53] He continued to feud with Triple H, using his authority to place his opponents at severe disadvantages during title defenses.^[54] Orton was granted another chance at the championship in January 2005, but lost a six-man championship Elimination Chamber match to Triple H at New Year's Revolution.^[55] On the January 10 episode of Raw, Orton defeated Batista to earn a match against Triple H at the Royal Rumble for the World Heavyweight title.^[56] At the Royal Rumble, Triple H defeated Orton to retain the World title.^[57]

Orton began an on-screen relationship with Stacy Keibler and briefly feuded with Christian in February 2005.^[58] On the February 28 episode of Raw, "Superstar" Billy Graham made an appearance, in which he advised Orton to "go where no wrestler [had] gone before".^[59] Orton then produced a copy of SmackDown! magazine, which featured The Undertaker on the cover.^[60] Heeding Graham's advice, Orton claimed that he would set himself apart from all other wrestlers by ending The Undertaker's undefeated streak at WrestleMania.^[61] Throughout March 2005, Orton taunted The Undertaker, claiming he was unafraid of him. On the March 21 episode of Raw, Orton turned into a villain once more after he delivered an RKO to his unsuspecting on-screen girlfriend, Stacy Keibler, knocking her unconscious.^[62] During Orton's promos, he would immediately run for cover when signs of The Undertaker's appearance were near (lightning, darkness, or smoke).^[63] When legendary wrestler Jake Roberts advised Orton not to underestimate The Undertaker, Orton performed an RKO on Roberts as well.^[64] In the weeks leading up to WrestleMania, Orton became more defiant and unafraid of The Undertaker, taunting and assaulting him in the ring following distractions from his father, "Cowboy" Bob Orton. At WrestleMania 21, however, the heavily hyped match was unsuccessful for Orton, as he lost despite his father's interference.^[57]

Orton at a WWE house show in 2005

The following night on Raw, Orton faced Batista, who had become World Heavyweight Champion. Orton stated on-screen that his match with The Undertaker had aggravated a shoulder injury.^[65][66] While sidelined, Orton appeared on Raw and claimed that he was ineligible for the WWE Draft Lottery due to his injury. He was informed by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon that he was indeed a candidate for the draft, leaving a possibility of a return to SmackDown!.^[67] Orton returned to WWE programming for the SmackDown! brand on June 16, announcing that he was the second pick in the 2005 draft lottery.^[68] He rekindled his feud with The Undertaker, defeating him at SummerSlam following a distraction from his father.^[69] Two months later, Orton and his father Bob Orton defeated The Undertaker in a Handicap Casket match.^[70] The following month, Orton was a participant in the annual elimination match of Team SmackDown against Team Raw at Survivor Series. In the match, Orton was the last remaining wrestler in the match, as he pinned Shawn Michaels to get the victory for Team SmackDown.^[71] At the event, The Undertaker, who had been absent since Orton had apparently killed him on an episode of SmackDown!,^[72] returned by emerging from a flaming casket.^[71] The feud was finally settled with a Hell in a Cell match at Armageddon, where The Undertaker offered to retire if he lost.^[73] On December 16, The Undertaker entered the ring to deliver a promo while one of his druids appeared to be standing in the ring. The Undertaker sustained an RKO from Orton in a surprise attack. The druid revealed himself to be Orton's father, who gave Orton The Undertaker's urn, which, according to the storyline, allowed whomever held it to control The Undertaker.^[74] The Undertaker, however, beat both Ortons in a Hell in a Cell match, ending their nine-month-long feud.^[75]

Orton showing off his signature pose

Following Armageddon, Orton entered the 2006 Royal Rumble match as the thirtieth and final wrestler, but he was eliminated by Rey Mysterio.^[75] Mysterio won the match and a title shot, and Orton urged him to put the title shot at stake in a match at No Way Out.^[76] In the weeks preceding No Way Out, Orton made disparaging remarks about Eddie Guerrero, Mysterio's friend who had died a few months previously, in an attempt to gain villain heat.^[77] Many fans felt the comments were unwarranted and highly distasteful so soon after Guerrero's death in November 2005.^[78][79][80] Orton won at No Way Out, earning Mysterio's title shot for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 22.^[81] General Manager Theodore Long re-added Mysterio to the WrestleMania 22 title match, however, making it a Triple Threat match between Orton, Mysterio, and then-champion, Kurt Angle.^[82] On April 2, at WrestleMania 22, Orton was pinned by Mysterio, making Mysterio the World Heavyweight Champion and ending their on-screen rivalry.^[83]

On April 4, 2006, Orton was suspended for sixty days for "unprofessional conduct."^[84] In an interview, Orton stated, "my conduct was unbecoming of a champion, which is what I will be again when I return."^[85] To cover for the suspension, a faked injury was devised, where Kurt Angle broke Orton's ankle during a grudge match.^[86] In July, Orton said his suspension resulted from smoking marijuana backstage.^[87] Orton returned from his suspension in June to the Raw brand,^[88][89] where he entered a rivalry with Angle, culminating in matches at One Night Stand and Vengeance before engaging in a storyline feud with Hulk Hogan. Orton began cutting promos insulting the aging Hogan and flirted with Hogan's then-eighteen-year-old daughter Brooke.^[90][91] At SummerSlam, the two met in a "Legend vs. Legend Killer" match, which Hogan won.^[92] After the newly reformed D-Generation X (DX) (Triple H and Shawn Michaels) cost Edge the WWE Championship numerous times, Edge approached Orton and asked him to join forces to defeat the team. Orton, whose championship reign had been ended by Triple H in 2004, agreed, forming the tag team Rated-RKO. The two became the first to defeat DX since their reunion and quickly dominated the Raw brand's tag team division to become tag team champions.^[93][94] As part of the angle, Rated-RKO attacked Ric Flair with steel chairs to enrage DX on November 27.^[95] At New Year's Revolution, Rated-RKO faced DX in a title defense, but the match was declared a no-contest when Triple H suffered a legitimate injury during the match.^[96]

Edge and Orton as Rated-RKO

With Triple H out of action, Rated-RKO continued their on-screen rivalry with remaining DX member Shawn Michaels. Michaels teamed with John Cena to defeat Rated-RKO for the tag team championship on January 29.^[97] Orton and Edge suffered a series of losses to Cena and Michaels in the following months, building hatred towards one another. Edge and Orton also became rivals in their goals of achieving the WWE Championship. Neither Edge nor Orton won the Championship, and they lost their claims as number one contenders after a failed match with Cena at Backlash.^[98] Orton then continued his "Legend Killer" persona, attacking Shawn Michaels. Using frequent attacks to the head, including an elevated DDT and a running punt to the face, Orton defeated Michaels at Judgment Day. When the kayfabe wounded and concussed Michaels collapsed in the ring, the referee was forced to stop the match and award Orton the victory.^[99] Orton continued his attacks when he engaged himself in feuds with Rob Van Dam,^[100] Ric Flair,^[101] Dusty Rhodes,^[102] and Sgt. Slaughter.^[103]

WWE Champion; The Legacy (2007–2011)[link]

On the July 23 episode of Raw, Orton was named as the number one contender at SummerSlam for John Cena's WWE Championship.^[102] Weeks before their scheduled bout at SummerSlam, Orton attacked Cena on three separate occasions by performing RKOs on him.^{[102][104][105]} At SummerSlam, Orton lost the title match to Cena, who pinned Orton after executing an FU.^[106] The following night on Raw, Orton demanded a rematch for the title, but his request was declined by Raw General Manager William Regal. Orton then took his demands to Mr. McMahon, who also refused to give Orton a rematch unless he proved himself. That night, Orton interfered in Cena's match by assaulting Cena and kicking Cena's father, who was at ringside, in the head.^[107] Orton was granted his title rematch against Cena at Unforgiven and won by disqualification when Cena refused to stop punching Orton in the corner;^[108] however, Cena retained the WWE title because a title cannot change hands by disqualification. After the match, Cena's father, who was again at ringside, kicked Orton in the head.^[108] At No Mercy, Orton was awarded the WWE Championship by Mr. McMahon after Cena was stripped of the title due to an injury the previous week, which also ended the Orton-Cena storyline prematurely.^[109] Orton then lost the title to Triple H in the opening match of the show, making Orton's reign the fourth shortest in WWE history.^[110] Later in the night, Orton defeated Triple H in a Last Man Standing match to regain the title, thus becoming a two-time WWE Champion in one night.^[111]

Following No Mercy, Orton continued his feud with Shawn Michaels, who made his return on the October 8 episode of Raw and performed Sweet Chin Music on Orton.^[112] The two met in a title match at Cyber Sunday after a match was made in which the fans would get to vote on either Michaels, Jeff Hardy or Mr. Kennedy as the opponent.^[113] As a result, Michaels was voted to face Orton.^[114] In the match, Orton was disqualified when he performed a low blow on Michaels, but Orton retained the title.^[114] In a scheduled rematch,^[115] Orton successfully defended the title at Survivor Series against Michaels when he performed the RKO on Michaels for the win.^[116] The stipulation of the match was that if Michaels used Sweet Chin Music, the match would be stopped and Michaels would never get a chance at the WWE title, but if Orton got himself disqualified, he would lose the title.^[117]

After weeks of intensity between the two, Orton defeated Jeff Hardy to retain the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble.^[118] Following this, he re-engaged in his feud with John Cena, who had returned from injury and won the 2008 Royal Rumble match.^[118] Instead of cashing in his title opportunity at WrestleMania XXIV, Cena decided to face Orton for the title at No Way Out.^[119] Orton lost the match after getting himself intentionally disqualified, thus retaining the title.^[120] At WrestleMania, Orton retained the WWE Championship in a Triple Threat match involving Cena and Triple H. Orton won the match by pinning Cena after a Pedigree from Triple H.^[121] The following month, at Backlash, Orton lost the title to Triple H in a Fatal Four-Way Elimination match, which also included Cena and John "Bradshaw" Layfield.^[122] After failing to win the title back at Judgment Day,^[123] Orton faced Triple H in a Last Man Standing match at One Night Stand for the title. Orton lost the match and legitimately broke his collarbone. During this time, Orton dropped his Legend Killer gimmick and replaced it with his new gimmick known as The Viper and debuted his new entrance music, Voices.^[124]

Orton after winning the 2009 Royal Rumble match

Just before he made his return, Orton re-injured himself in a motorcycle accident, and, to keep on-screen exposure, he made an unexpected return to Raw at the beginning of September, criticizing all of the champions on the brand. Heel tag team Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase took exception to this and tried to gain his respect.^[125] Unsuccessful until the pay-per-view event Unforgiven, the two of them, alongside new recruit Manu, assaulted World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk, costing him his title.^[126] He made his in-ring return on the November 3 episode of Raw losing to Punk by disqualification after Ted DiBiase interfered.^[127] In retaliation, Orton punted DiBiase in the head.^[127] On the December 1 episode of Raw, Orton proposed that he along with Cody Rhodes and Manu form an alliance.^[128][129] The following week, they made it official by defeating Batista and Triple H, Orton's former stablemates, in a three-on-two handicap match, dubbing themselves The Legacy.^[130] On January 25, 2009, Orton won the 2009 Royal Rumble match by last eliminating Triple H.^[15] On the March 2 episode of Raw, Orton challenged Triple H for the WWE title at WrestleMania XXV,^[131] where Orton lost the match.^[132] Orton, however, won the title at Backlash in a six-man tag team match with Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase, facing off against Triple H, Batista, and Shane McMahon.^[133] At Extreme Rules, he dropped the title to Batista in a Steel Cage match.^[134] The following night on Raw, Orton and Legacy attacked Batista and (kayfabe) broke his arm, forcing him to vacate the title. It was later revealed that Batista was suffering from a torn biceps and Legacy was given on-screen credit for his injury.^[135] On the June 15 episode of Raw, Orton regained the title in a Fatal Four-Way match involving Triple H, John Cena and The Big Show.^[136] Orton later lost the title to John Cena in an "I Quit" match at Breaking Point,^[137] but defeated Cena to win back the championship in a Hell in a Cell match at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view in October.^[138] At Bragging Rights, Orton lost the title to Cena in a 60 minute Iron Man match.^[139]

On the January 11, 2010, episode of Raw, Orton won a triple threat match, with the help of Rhodes and DiBiase, to challenge Sheamus at the Royal Rumble for the WWE Championship.^[140] At the Royal Rumble, however, Orton failed to win the championship when Rhodes interfered, causing a disqualification. After the match, Orton attacked Rhodes and DiBiase.^[141] On the February 15 episode of Raw, Orton was again disqualified in a rematch after Rhodes and DiBiase interfered.^[142] Orton and DiBiase both competed in the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, and DiBiase eliminated Orton after hitting him with a pipe which Rhodes had passed to him.^[143] The next night on Raw, in a six-man tag team match, Orton attacked Rhodes and DiBiase in retaliation.^[144] At WrestleMania XXVI, Orton defeated Rhodes and DiBiase in a triple threat match, turning him into a fan favorite in the process for the first time since 2005.^[145]

Orton posing at a WWE live event

Following his departure from Legacy, Orton, now playing a babyface role, faced Jack Swagger for the World Heavyweight Championship at Extreme Rules in April, however, he was unsuccessful in defeating Swagger.^[146] After being speared by Edge, resulting in Orton losing a number one contender's match for the WWE Championship, on the WWE Draft episode of Raw,^[147] he faced Edge at the Over the Limit pay-per-view, but separated his right shoulder during the match, which concluded in a double countout.^[148] At Fatal 4-Way in June, Orton competed in a fatal four-way match for the WWE Championship against John Cena, Sheamus and Edge but came up short.^[149] On the July 19 episode of Raw, he won a number one contender's match against Edge and Chris Jericho giving him a match against Sheamus at SummerSlam.^[150] At the event, Sheamus was disqualified for bringing a steel chair into the match giving Orton the victory, however, not the title.^[151] Immediately afterwards Orton took the steel chair and hit Sheamus with it and gave him an RKO. Orton defeated John Cena, Chris Jericho, Wade Barrett, Edge and Sheamus in a Six-Pack Challenge Elimination Match to become WWE Champion for the sixth time at Night of Champions.^[152]

After defending his title against Sheamus at Hell in a Cell,^[153] Orton feuded with Wade Barrett, who attempted to use John Cena to help capture Orton's championship. After successfully defending his title against Barrett at Bragging Rights and Survivor Series,^[154][155] Orton defeated Barrett again on the November 22 episode of Raw, only to lose his title immediately afterwards to The Miz, who cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase.^[156] Orton failed to recapture the title after losing a Tables match to The Miz at the TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view^[157] and again in a singles match at the Royal Rumble in January 2011 after interference from the New Nexus starting a feud between Punk and Orton.^[158] The following month at the Elimination Chamber event Orton participated in the Raw Elimination Chamber match but was unsuccessful in winning.^[159] Over the ongoing weeks, Orton would punt all members of the New Nexus, Michael McGillicutty, David Otunga, and Mason Ryan, removing each, one by one, from active competition.^{[160][161][162]} At WrestleMania XXVII, Orton defeated CM Punk.^[163] On the April 11 episode of Raw, McGillicutty, Otunga and Ryan returned and cost Orton a number one contender's match for the WWE Championship.^[164] Two weeks later, at the 2011 WWE Draft, Orton was drafted to SmackDown and beat Punk at Extreme Rules thus ending his feud with New Nexus.^[165]

World Heavyweight Champion and various feuds (2011–present)[link]

Orton in another signature pose; he does this prior to hitting his RKO finisher

On April 29 episode of SmackDown, Orton made his debut his match in a tag team match with Christian against Alberto Del Rio and Brodus Clay.^[166] The following week, Orton received a title opportunity against World Heavyweight Champion, Christian. Orton was successful in defeating Christian to win his second World Heavyweight Championship.^[167] At Over the Limit and Capitol Punishment, Orton successfully defended his championship against Christian.^[168][169] In July at Money in the Bank, Orton lost the title to Christian after Christian spat in his face, which led Orton to lose control of his temper, kick Christian in the groin and get disqualified,^[170] in a match where the stipulation was if Orton got himself disqualified, or if the referee made a "bad call", Christian would automatically win the championship.^[171] A month later, at the SummerSlam pay-per-view event, Orton regained the title when he defeated Christian in a No Holds Barred match.^[172] Orton ended his feud with Christian when he retained the World Championship in a Steel Cage Match on the August 30 episode of SmackDown.^[173]

Orton then entered a feud with Mark Henry after Henry became the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship^[174] and over the next few weeks, Henry would attack Orton, getting the advantage over him.^{[175][176][177][178]} At Night of Champions, Orton lost the World Heavyweight title Henry,^[179] and failed to regain it two weeks later at Hell in a Cell.^[180] On the October 14 edition of Smackdown, Orton received another title shot against Henry after winning a 41 man battle royal, he was successful in winning the match by disqualification but failed to win the title after interference from rival Cody Rhodes. He then defeated Rhodes at Vengeance,^[181] and on the November 4 episode of Smackdown in a Street Fight.^[182]

Orton would re-ignite his feud with Wade Barrett after both superstars were named captain for a traditional 5 on 5 Survivor Series elimination match. On the November 11 episode of SmackDown, Orton was defeated by Barrett in a singles match, however on the November 14 episode of Raw, Orton won in a rematch by disqualification.^[183][184] His team was defeated at Survivor Series with Barrett and Cody Rhodes being the sole survivors.^[185] Barrett would then begin attack and distract Orton during matches, getting the advantage.^[186][187] At Tables, Ladders, & Chairs, Orton defeated Barrett in a tables match hitting the RKO mid-air with Barrett landing through the table.^[188] Barrett and Orton would continue their feud on the December 23 episode of SmackDown, where they engaged in a brawl that ended backstage with Barrett getting hit with a RKO onto a car.^[189] This led to a Falls Count Anywhere match on December 30 episode of Smackdown, where Barrett pushed Orton down a set of stairs before exiting through the door.^[190] Orton suffered a herniated disc as a result, taking him off television for a number of weeks.^[191] On January 27, 2012 edition of SmackDown, he returned to the ring and attacked Barrett.^[192] On the February 3 edition of SmackDown, Orton defeated Barrett in a No Disqualification match to end the feud.^[193]

On the February 14 edition of Raw SuperShow, Orton suffered a concussion after World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan smashed Orton over the head with the title belt. Due to the injury, Orton was taken out of his elimination chamber match at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view and was replaced by Santino Marella.^[194] Orton returned on the March 2 episode of SmackDown, losing to Bryan by count-out, following interference from Kane, who then attacked Orton after the match.^[195] In retaliation, Orton hit Kane with an RKO on the March 5 edition of Raw Supershow, after the latter defeated R-Truth.^[196] On the following SmackDown, Orton would hit Kane with another RKO before his match and they would later engage in a brawl as SmackDown went off air.^[197] At WrestleMania XXVIII, Orton was defeated by Kane in a singles match.^[198] Orton would then defeat Kane on the following episode of SmackDown in a No Disqualifications match^[199] and at Extreme Rules in a Falls Count Anywhere match to end the feud.^[200]

On April 30 episode of Raw, Orton was part of a Beat the Clock challenge to determine the number one contender for the WWE Championship match at Over the Limit; he defeated Jack Swagger in 4:16^[201] to beat The Miz's time by two seconds.^[202] Orton's time was later beaten by Daniel Bryan, thus earning him the title match.^[203] On the following episode of Raw SuperShow, Orton was brogue kicked by tag team partner Sheamus during their match against Chris Jericho and Alberto Del Rio, costing them the match. After the match, Orton RKO'd Sheamus and then he, Jericho, and Del Rio demanded a match for Sheamus' World Heavyweight Championship at Over the Limit, which they were granted.^[204] At the pay-per-view, Orton failed in his World title pursuit after Sheamus pinned Jericho to retain the title.^[205]

On May 30, WWE announced that they had suspended Orton for 60 days due to his second violation of the company´s Talent Wellness Program.^[206][207]

Other media[link]

In 2004, Orton appeared on the late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live!, to promote the Taboo Tuesday pay-per-view.^[208] In March 2007, alongside Edge, John Cena, and Bobby Lashley, Orton appeared on the NBC game show Deal or No Deal.^[209] In July 2009, Orton revealed he read for the lead role in The Marine 2 (2009), the sequel to the 2006 film The Marine. He was given the part, but after injuring his collarbone, the film's producers decided to go with Ted DiBiase.^[210] Orton has a supporting role in the film That's What I Am, alongside Ed Harris and Amy Madigan. The film is a coming-of-age comedy written and directed by Michael Pavone.^[211] On March 28 2012 it was reported that Randy Orton would starring in Marine: Homefront^[212] On 3 April it was reported that Orton was dropped from starring Marine Homefront due to his past with the USMC.^[213][18] He was replaced by fellow wrestler The Miz^[214]

Controversy[link]

While on the Raw brand, Orton was accused of harassing fellow WWE employees Amy Weber and Rochelle Loewen; Loewen has called Orton "an animal". While she quashed a long-standing rumor that he defecated in her bag, she did claim that he vandalized her possessions and subjected her to verbal harassment because she did not know who he was upon meeting him.^[215]

On March 19, 2007, Sports Illustrated posted an article on its website as part of its continuing series investigating a steroid and HGH ring used by a number of professional athletes in several sports. That article mentioned several current and former WWE wrestlers, including Orton who was alleged to have obtained clomiphene citrate, anastrozole and the steroids stanozolol, nandrolone, oxandrolone, and testosterone.^[216] WWE has since made a statement on this situation, claiming that the allegations preceded the Talent Wellness program WWE launched in February 2006.^[216]

Personal life[link]

In November 2005, Orton announced his engagement to his girlfriend Samantha Speno.^[217] They married on September 21, 2007.^[218][219] In December 2007, Orton announced that he and his wife were expecting their first child, a daughter.^[220][221] Orton and his wife welcomed Alanna Marie Orton on July 12, 2008.^[222]

He had a tattoo on his left arm that read "USMC" for United States Marine Corps but covered it up after receiving a bad conduct discharge when he went AWOL from the service. He was sent home after serving thirty-eight days in military prison at Camp Pendleton in California.^[18]

Orton suffers from hypermobile shoulders.^[223] After being medically cleared to wrestle and after he broke his collarbone in a Last Man Standing match at One Night Stand against Triple H, Orton re-injured his collarbone in a motorcycle accident.^[224][225]

In wrestling[link]

Orton performing the RKO on The Miz.

Orton performing a rope-hung DDT on Sheamus.

Orton performing the Inverted headlock backbreaker on Sheamus.

• Finishing moves
  • O-Zone (Overdrive)^[5] – 2002–2003
  • RKO^[1][5] (Jumping cutter, sometimes from the top rope or used as a counter to a midair opponent) - 2003-present

• Signature moves
  • Bodyscissors^[5]
  • Diving crossbody^[5]
  • Dropkick^[5]
  • European uppercut^[5]
  • Falling clothesline^[5]
  • Full nelson slam^[5]
  • Gutwrench elevated neckbreaker^[226]
  • Inverted headlock backbreaker^[5][227]
  • Knee drop^[228]
  • Lou thesz press followed by mounted punches^[5][227]
  • Olympic slam^[229][228]
  • Randy Orton Stomps^[1][5] (Multiple stomps while circling a fallen opponent)
  • Rope-hung DDT^[227] (sometimes from the turnbuckle)
  • Running punt kick to an opponent's head^[5] – Used mainly to cause a storyline concussion
  • Side belly-to-belly suplex^[226]
  • Snap scoop powerslam^[230][231]
  • Superplex^[226] - adopted off his father, "Cowboy" Bob Orton
  • Wrenching chinlock^[5][227]

• Managers
  • Ric Flair
  • "Cowboy" Bob Orton
  • Lita
  • Stacy Keibler

• Tag-teams and Stables
  • Evolution
  • Rated RKO
  • The Legacy

• Nicknames
  • "The Legend Killer"^[232]
  • "The Viper"^[233]
  • "WWE's/The Apex Predator"^[234]

• Entrance themes
  • "Line in the Sand" by Motörhead (2003–2004) (Used while a member of Evolution)
  • "This Fire Burns" by Killswitch Engage (March 3, 2006)
  • "Burn in My Light" by Mercy Drive (August 30, 2004–May 5, 2008)^[235]
  • "Rated RKO" by Jim Johnston (October 2, 2006–April 29, 2007; Used while apart of Rated RKO)
  • "Voices" by Rev Theory (May 12, 2008–present)^[236]

Championships and accomplishments[link]

Orton during his first reign as WWE Champion.

• Ohio Valley Wrestling
  • OVW Hardcore Championship (2 times)^[10]

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI Feud of the Year (2009) vs. Triple H
  • PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year (2007, 2009)^[237][238]
  • PWI Most Improved Wrestler of the Year (2004)^[239]
  • PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year (2010)^[240]
  • PWI Rookie of the Year (2001)^[241]
  • PWI ranked him #1 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2008^[242]
  • PWI Wrestler of the Year (2009, 2010)^[243][244]

• World Wrestling Entertainment
  • World Heavyweight Championship (3 times)^[46][245]
  • World Tag Team Championship (1 time)^[94] – with Edge
  • WWE Championship (6 times)^{[14][246][247][248]}
  • WWE Intercontinental Championship (1 time)^[41]
  • Royal Rumble (2009)
  • Seventeenth Triple Crown Champion

• Wrestling Observer Newsletter
  • Most Improved (2004)

Notes[link]