Even a future WWE Hall of Famer like Randy Orton had to get started by winning his first world championship, and in his case, he did it in history-making fashion.
The Viper was just 24 years old when he won the World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of SummerSlam 2004, becoming the youngest world champion in WWE history. It should come as no surprise that it’s a moment that Orton still remembers well, including the first people he called (and the person who let him borrow their cellphone to make those calls).
If you are thinking about Orton’s family ties to the pro wrestling business, you’re on the right track. Check out the exclusive clip from the upcoming season premiere of “Biography: WWE Legends” to hear Orton talk about that night in his own words.
It’s interesting to hear Orton admit at the end of the clip that he “definitely was not ready” to hold the world title at that time, which is perhaps the kind of self-awareness that only comes with time.
Expect to hear a lot more of those insights in the full episode. Here’s a summary from A&E:
Randy Orton is largely considered to be one of the greatest WWE Superstars of his generation, with an incredible career that has spanned twenty years. However, the path he took to step out of the shadow of his father’s legacy and reach the pinnacle of sports entertainment, was not easy. From his ill-fated chapter in the United States Marine Corps to his battles with anger management and substance abuse, his journey to overcome his demons led him to become the man he is today.
The season premiere of “Biography: WWE Legends” debuts this Sunday, Feb. 25 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, following a new season premiere of “WWE Rivals” that focuses on the conflict between Triple H and The Rock. Be sure to set your DVR or stream the episodes live as soon as the following day on aetv.com.