5. Randy Orton
Throughout his career, “The Viper” Randy Orton has held the Intercontinental Championship one time, the WWE World Heavyweight Championship four times, and the WWE championship eight times. Because he has so successfully cemented himself as a major star, there is rarely any need for WWE to reference Randy Orton’s family or their connection to the wrestling business.
It wasn’t always like this, however. When he first began his career in WWE, commentators would frequently mention Orton’s famous father, “Cowboy” Bob Orton. This was done to raise fan interest in the young man and further establish him as one to watch.
“Cowboy” Bob Orton was already a veteran with much international experience when he began appearing regularly for the World Wrestling Federation in 1983. Competing as a heel, he aligned himself with “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, the company’s premier bad guy, and together they feuded with the likes of Paul Orndorff, Hulk Hogan, and Andre The Giant.
As one of the WWF’s biggest stars during the pro wrestling boom, Bob Orton was able to provide a fantastic life for his family, even though it meant him being away from them for most of the year.
Nowadays, Randy Orton is doing the same thing, and is currently preparing to return to the road after taking some time off to heal a recurring shoulder injury. He is scheduled to face Brock Lesnar at this year’sSummerSlam, in what is likely to be the most heavily promoted bout in the history of the event.
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