Randy Orton recently spoke with CBS Sports to promote his appearance on “Shooter” this past week.
On consoling Shane McMahon’s family at the WWE Survivor Series:
“I know what it’s like to be in his position and I know what it’s like to be in his family’s position, because I’ve been on both sides growing up in the business. Especially having my kids ringside when I’ve been hit a little too hard, maybe, if you know what I mean, or got a gash across the top of my head in a ladder match. I know that the kids worry. And I knew where they were sitting and I also knew that the match was gonna slow down to tend to Shane and make sure he was alright. So I just thought you know what? What better use of my time for the next 15 seconds than to go over there and talk to his kids and make sure they’re cool?”
On what he told McMahon’s family:
“I told them their dad was a champ and he was a tough dude, and he’s fine, and it’s just part of what we’re doing right now, kids. Don’t worry about it. And they smiled and the wife was happy, and everything was cool. At first I was like ‘Oh man, I’m blowing my gig, I can’t be that guy. But at the same time, that’s who I am. The people got to see a little side of me and that’s the nurturing father figure that I am for my kids.”
On possible feud with AJ Styles:
“He’s at the top of my list, as far as guys that I look forward to working with that I haven’t worked with before,” Orton said. “Most definitely, 100 percent guaranteed, me and him would kill it every night. He’s one of those guys that can do anything. I have certain things that I’m good at, too, and I feel like the mixture of both of our talents would really give the people something that they would never forget.”
On the WWE locker room:
“I remember walking into our locker room [as a rookie] and there’s a few guys I can’t even name, but you had a crew of guys that were very intimidating and commanded respect,” Orton explained. “You could also go to them and get advice, and you would get that advice. Nowadays, a lot of the younger guys, I find myself — and I see other guys that have been around — having to go to them with suggestions on how to make their ‘product’ better. Whether it’s selling or facial expressions or just slowing down a little bit. But no, they’re not coming to us. And I remember just years ago, you were always seeking out that advice. It’s almost like some of these guys that have been in the indies 15 years think they know everything. That’s probably the only negative difference that sticks out to me.
On competition between RAW and SmackDown Live:
“There’s competition, but it’s a friendly competition,” he said. “No one’s looking to stab anyone in the back, especially on SmackDown Live. I can speak for our crew more than Raw, of course. But it’s a really good group of guys and gals and everybody respects each other.”
