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Randy Orton is a 14-time World Champion and has accomplished a lot in his career, but even he recently confessed that he was simply not prepared for his first World Title Reign whatsoever.
In the main event in Toronto, Canada, Orton dethroned Chris Benoit, the reigning champion from WrestleMania 20. This victory, Orton’s first of 14 World Championship wins in WWE, made him the youngest WWE World Champion in history at 24 years old.
Winning a World Championship was an accomplishment that neither his father nor grandfather had achieved. In a preview video for his upcoming A&E Biography: Legend documentary, Orton expressed the significance of winning the title and the emotional moment of speaking with his family after the match.
“This was the culmination of all this hard work. I knew my father and my grandfather would be watching me, proud of me. Stephanie McMahon gave me her cell phone. She was like ‘Call your dad. Call your grandpa. Talk to them.’ And I’m so glad that she did.”
”My grandpa, he was only around for a few years after, so just hearing his voice, hearing how proud he was of me, you know, that’s a conversation I will never forget.”
“Same with my father, I called him next. I’d never heard my old man get choked up. Like, he’s old school to the bone. But he was choked up on the phone that night. So it was a special night.”
With just over two years on the main roster, Orton’s rapid ascent to the World Heavyweight Championship was remarkable. The Legend Killer reflected on the pressure and admitted to not feeling prepared for the role of being the top star.
“It’s hard to describe the feeling of the responsibility, the amount of awesomeness that comes with holding that belt. I had the title but I didn’t have the maturity. I definitely was not ready. I’m really just sitting on top of the world. I’m making a lot of money for someone my age and I’m living the dream. And I am a cocky son of a b**ch.”
Following his successful title defense against Benoit on RAW, Orton faced betrayal from Evolution as Triple H sought to regain the World Heavyweight Championship. This betrayal prompted Orton to turn face, but he would ultimately lose the title to Triple H the following month at Unforgiven 2004. Orton would go on to become a living legend in the business and that is all that matters now.
Did you enjoy Randy Orton’s first reign as World Champion? Let us know in the comments section below!
February 25, 2024 6:24 am
