Randy Orton

Randy Orton – third generation wrestler and son of “Cowboy” Bob Orton – made his WWE debut in 2002. After immediately suffering what would be one of many injuries throughout his career, he kept himself on television and began interrupting other Superstars’ segments with what he called “Randy News Network”. Shortly after, Orton joined the legendary stable known as Evolution, alongside group leader Triple H, Batista and WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair.

Between 2003 and 2005, he developed a persona known as the “Legend Killer”. Orton used this gimmick to elevate his rookie status by taking down big names like Hulk Hogan, Harley Race, Mick Foley and Shawn Michaels. He managed to hold the Intercontinental Championship for seven months before being dethroned by Edge, which put Orton on track to challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship. He would go on to win the title from Chris Benoit in 2005 – the same man who took the belt from Orton’s mentor Triple H earlier in the year.

Randy Orton left Evolution, turning into a babyface and feuding with Triple H, Batista and Ric Flair through the rest of the year. Over the course of the next eight years, he became a 9-time World Champion and despite several wellness violations, has remained one of the top wrestlers in the world. Orton won the Royal Rumble in 2009, and his feuds with the Undertaker, Kurt Angle, Edge and John Cena are some of the best of his career so far. The peak of his run in the WWE has perhaps been in 2008, when he defeated both John Cena and Triple H in a 3-way match for the WWE Championship, in the co-main event of WrestleMania XXIV.