The Unauthorized Story of Randy Orton and The Viper's Strike on WWE by Michael Essany Page A
Authors: Michael Essany
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a nickname that would never leave him: "The Legend Killer." From Hulk Hogan and The Undertaker, to Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels, Randy Orton would make a name for himself by waging war in the ring with some of wrestling’s biggest icons.
But then something changed. And it once again pertained to "evolution."
Bigger Than Before
"Randy Orton is a unique character in WWE today," says former E! Entertainment Television personality and pro wrestling industry insider Mike Randazzo. "Orton was once billed as the legend killer. Now, he's clearly on the path to becoming a legend himself. He's already one of the biggest stars in the industry. But he's not quite Shawn Michaels or even John Cena. And it remains to be seen what it will take to get him bumped up a few more notches to where, in my opinion, he deserves to be.
"I think Randy Orton faces a lot of unnecessary criticisms," Randazzo continues. "Everyone knows - and Orton himself admits - that Randy became a major ass and a conceited over-the-top cocky man when he first tasted success in the WWE. The attitude wasn't just for show. He acted like a jerk off camera too. Couple this with his admitted drug use and it’s a recipe for disaster. But Randy Orton hasn't ended up a broke druggie out of a job. Instead, he cleaned up his act and is now one of the hardest working and most respected men in the WWE. I think he's a great role model. But it seems that politics may be holding him back."
In the era or family-friendly WWE programming, Vince McMahon has reportedly been keen on keeping "clean figures" in the limelight. With Linda McMahon running for U.S. Senate in Connecticut for the second time in 2012, the McMahons have kept a close watch on who is surfacing to the top of WWE and reflecting on the company as a whole.
"The whole 'scandal' with the Marines," Randazzo says, "is still a factor - in my view - for WWE executives, especially as Linda runs for office again. Although Orton admits to his mistakes - which didn't cost any lives and didn't hurt our country - it seems that the WWE, which has close ties to the military, doesn't want to make a Marines drop-out who went A.W.O.L. the poster boy of the company. I mean, look what they did to Orton regarding 'The Marine 3.'"
Randazzo is referring to the controversial decision by WWE to originally agree to let Orton star in the third installment of the feature film series. From Variety :
WWE has pulled Randy Orton as the star of it direct-to-homevid actioner "The Marine: Homefront" after determining that his troubled past with the United States Marine Corps would pose a problem.
"WWE demonstrated poor judgment in signing Randy Orton for the third installment of the film 'The Marine,'" WWE subsequently said in a statement. "Despite Randy's popularity, the fact that he was dishonorably discharged from the USMC made it inappropriate for him to be cast in this film. He will no longer have a role in the film."
"I've really had to wonder," Randazzo concludes, "if the military thing has something to do with Orton being held back in WWE. The military is so important to WWE - the National Guard sponsors its events, for crying out loud - that McMahon may not want to elevate Orton further right now for that reason alone, particularly while his family remains in politics. That's all speculation, of course. But it seems logical."
Randy Orton, not surprisingly, seemed bitter about the decision by WWE to pull him from The Marine 3. After the decision was announced, Orton tweeted: “I respect our military. That’s why I’ve gone to Iraq or Afghan 3 times and met thousands of soldiers. Funny that’s not mentioned.”
What is, however, mentioned quite regularly is that Orton has the talent and tools to carry the WWE into the next era. The only question is: will the WWE give him the opportunity to do that which he clearly has the faculties, passion, and credibility to
But then something changed. And it once again pertained to "evolution."
Bigger Than Before
"Randy Orton is a unique character in WWE today," says former E! Entertainment Television personality and pro wrestling industry insider Mike Randazzo. "Orton was once billed as the legend killer. Now, he's clearly on the path to becoming a legend himself. He's already one of the biggest stars in the industry. But he's not quite Shawn Michaels or even John Cena. And it remains to be seen what it will take to get him bumped up a few more notches to where, in my opinion, he deserves to be.
"I think Randy Orton faces a lot of unnecessary criticisms," Randazzo continues. "Everyone knows - and Orton himself admits - that Randy became a major ass and a conceited over-the-top cocky man when he first tasted success in the WWE. The attitude wasn't just for show. He acted like a jerk off camera too. Couple this with his admitted drug use and it’s a recipe for disaster. But Randy Orton hasn't ended up a broke druggie out of a job. Instead, he cleaned up his act and is now one of the hardest working and most respected men in the WWE. I think he's a great role model. But it seems that politics may be holding him back."
In the era or family-friendly WWE programming, Vince McMahon has reportedly been keen on keeping "clean figures" in the limelight. With Linda McMahon running for U.S. Senate in Connecticut for the second time in 2012, the McMahons have kept a close watch on who is surfacing to the top of WWE and reflecting on the company as a whole.
"The whole 'scandal' with the Marines," Randazzo says, "is still a factor - in my view - for WWE executives, especially as Linda runs for office again. Although Orton admits to his mistakes - which didn't cost any lives and didn't hurt our country - it seems that the WWE, which has close ties to the military, doesn't want to make a Marines drop-out who went A.W.O.L. the poster boy of the company. I mean, look what they did to Orton regarding 'The Marine 3.'"
Randazzo is referring to the controversial decision by WWE to originally agree to let Orton star in the third installment of the feature film series. From Variety :
WWE has pulled Randy Orton as the star of it direct-to-homevid actioner "The Marine: Homefront" after determining that his troubled past with the United States Marine Corps would pose a problem.
"WWE demonstrated poor judgment in signing Randy Orton for the third installment of the film 'The Marine,'" WWE subsequently said in a statement. "Despite Randy's popularity, the fact that he was dishonorably discharged from the USMC made it inappropriate for him to be cast in this film. He will no longer have a role in the film."
"I've really had to wonder," Randazzo concludes, "if the military thing has something to do with Orton being held back in WWE. The military is so important to WWE - the National Guard sponsors its events, for crying out loud - that McMahon may not want to elevate Orton further right now for that reason alone, particularly while his family remains in politics. That's all speculation, of course. But it seems logical."
Randy Orton, not surprisingly, seemed bitter about the decision by WWE to pull him from The Marine 3. After the decision was announced, Orton tweeted: “I respect our military. That’s why I’ve gone to Iraq or Afghan 3 times and met thousands of soldiers. Funny that’s not mentioned.”
What is, however, mentioned quite regularly is that Orton has the talent and tools to carry the WWE into the next era. The only question is: will the WWE give him the opportunity to do that which he clearly has the faculties, passion, and credibility to
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