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No Heat On WWE Star After Randy Orton Botch

By Lyle Kilbane • Published 10th October 2024
Randy Orton WWE

Things didn’t quite go as planned in one match on WWE TV recently but there is believed to be no heat on one star for a major botch.

NXT went to St. Louis for the 8th of October edition of the show with Randy Orton appearing in his hometown. Orton competed in only his second-ever match on the brand as he took on 20-year-old Je’Von Evans.

Evans – who was not alive when Randy Orton fought Mick Foley in their classic hardcore match at Backlash in 2004 – gave a good account of himself in the bout but ultimately Orton picked up the win with an RKO.

However, that isn’t the full story.

Je’Von Evans Avoids Randy Orton’s Wrath After WWE Match

WWE was clearly hoping for a massively viral moment with Orton nailing his patented move out of nowhere and in spectacular style. Je’Von Evans went to the top rope and looked to nail some sort of twisting splash where Orton would catch him with the three most devastating letters in all of pro wrestling.

But given the speed and intricacy of pulling off such a move, Orton mistimed his attempt to catch Evans and they both crashed to the mat. Instead, Orton simply picked Evans up and delivered a more standard version of the move to end the bout.

Fightful Select has since given some insight to how the match and that final spot in particular was received within WWE. There is believed to be no heat on Je’Von Evans for the spot being mistimed but it was also noted that both Evans and Orton had rehearsed the spot extensively before the show.

After the bout, Evans could be seen apologising to Orton who seemed to tell the young star it was okay before raising his hand for the crowd.