Randy Orton Is “Better Than Ever” According To WWE Legend

Randy Orton is performing at a very high level going into WrestleMania 42.

The road to WrestleMania 42 took a dark turn on the March 13th episode of WWE SmackDown when Randy Orton brutally assaulted Cody Rhodes during a contract signing segment.

After doing a cheap attack on Rhodes, Orton left the WWE Champion Rhodes a bloody mess, and many fans cheered as Orton went to the dark side as a heel, like he’s done many times in the past.

As a WWE veteran for the past 24 years, Orton is regarded by many fans as one of the best heels in WWE history. Even though Orton has been a babyface for many years, he enjoys playing a heel. Orton has said as much on WWE television as he brags about listening to the voices in his head.

During an interview with the Toronto Sun, legendary WWE superstar Nattie spoke about Orton returning to his heel ways. Since Natalya has been on the WWE main roster for nearly 20 years and knows Orton well, as well as Cody Rhodes, she offered an interesting perspective on Orton’s recent actions.

“I think it’s been a long time coming. That’s the thing with Randy, he stays ready. He’s in amazing shape, he’s performing so well, he’s better than he’s ever been, and he was ready.

There was a lull there with Randy, maybe I shouldn’t use the word lull, but there was a moment where even I, watching there as a fan, I was like, ‘Man, I want to see heel Randy.’ Because I think Randy has done his best work as a bad guy, and he’s a really unique bad guy.

He’s almost so fascinating as a bad guy that you start to like him. It’s almost like he’s just so fun to watch. It’s very iconic getting to watch this version of Randy and right now in 2026 in WWE because he’s better than he’s ever been.”

Nattie Believes WWE Has Nice Balance Of Veterans Like Randy Orton And Newer Superstars

The discussion continued with Nattie talking about how veterans like Randy Orton, herself and others interacting with newer wrestlers is a good thing for the business.

“Yes, I am all about new talent growing, and ever since the first time I even got into WWE, I was the new talent but I was still thinking there was tons of women coming in. I’ve worked with probably 70 different women in WWE, maybe more, and I think we should always be thinking about fresh new faces within the company. But what I love right now is there’s a really nice balance of new, of legends and of talent that have been there that are still great, that are still better than they’ve ever been. Randy Orton is a perfect example of that.

You look at Seth Rollins, he is a perfect example of that. You look at Bayley, she’s another great example. Bayley’s been in WWE for over a decade, but it doesn’t mean that people don’t still want to see her perform. But then you see Bayley mix it up with Sol Ruca, you see Randy mix it up with Je’Von Evans. It’s nice to see the mix.”

Nattie went on to speak further about Randy Orton’s abilities as a WWE superstar.

“Listen he (Randy) is going to remind everybody why he’s one of the very best professional wrestlers in the world. He’s one of the very best to ever step foot in a ring.

To me, he deserves that spot at WrestleMania because he is that good. And when you’re in an arena, when Randy’s music hits, everybody is listening, everybody is singing his song. Randy goes on that top turnbuckle and hits his pose; everybody’s doing it with him. He’s relatable, he’s got that equity, and he’s still able to go.

“Now if Randy wasn’t able to go and wasn’t able to perform, I would say, maybe it’s not his time anymore. But Randy’s as good, if not better, than he ever was. So he deserves to headline WrestleMania because his storyline, right now, is I want to know who the hell is on the other side of that phone.”

On the April 3rd edition of WWE SmackDown in Randy Orton’s hometown of St. Louis, The Viper is set for a segment with the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, who Orton will face at WrestleMania 42. The SmackDown lineup is below.

• Cody Rhodes looks to spoil Randy Orton’s homecoming on The Road to WrestleMania
• How will Rhea Ripley response to back-to-back attacks by Jade Cargill, Michin and B-Fab?
• What carnage awaits en route to Jacob Fatu’s Unsanctioned Match against Drew McIntyre?

It has also been reported that we might learn who the mystery caller is that Randy Orton has been talking to for the past several weeks.