Randy Orton Grateful To Vince McMahon, But Says It’s “Nice” He’s Gone
Randy Orton can’t forget the opportunities Vince McMahon gave him, but he’s glad he moved on.
Back in January, Janel Grant filed a lawsuit against WWE, Vince McMahon, and John Laurinaitis which contained allegations of sex trafficking and sexual assault. As a result, McMahon was finally forced to leave WWE and stepped down from his position on the TKO Group Board of Directors.
On May 30th, Grant paused her lawsuit, pending a “non-public investigation” into Vince McMahon. In February, it was reported McMahon was under federal investigation for sex trafficking and sexual assault.
During a new interview with Bill Apter for WrestleBinge, Orton discussed his former boss, and why he’s happy Triple H has now taken command of WWE. The Viper began by admitting he’ll always be thankful for McMahon giving him a chance at a career in wrestling, but he’s glad Triple H gives the stars of today a better work/life balance.
“Listen, I love Vince. He gave me so many opportunities, but I think it was kind of time for him to move on. It’s unfortunate that it happened in the way that it happened, but it’s nice having people in charge of me that understand how important it is for you to be home for birthdays, home for Thanksgiving, and home for Christmas.”
“It’s Nice To Have Vince McMahon Out of There” – Randy Orton
Orton went on to recall asking McMahon to reduce his schedule almost ten years ago when his back started bothering him. Instead of finding a solution to extend his star’s longevity, McMahon told Orton to keep working.
Vince McMahon had Raw on Monday night live where everyone’s — he didn’t care if you had kids. I came to him when I was 35 and my back really started going and I pleaded with him like, ‘Man, I got to not do as many shows, maybe you have to tour, and be able to recover,’ and he just looked at me and was like, ‘Oh, I need you on those shows, Randy. Mother Nature gets us all.’
To hear that and go, ‘Okay, well I guess there’s no other thing I can do other than just wear myself out down to the nub until I can’t walk anymore for this man.’ [Despite] all the opportunities he gave me, it’s nice having him out of there. It’s nice having his son-in-law, Triple H running the game,” Randy said.
“Nick Khan is great. Everybody [from] TKO that’s come in, stepped in, they seem to get it, and it’s just a different era. I think the way that they care for telling nowadays and make sure that the talent is good, and if they need a little bit of a break, we’re only human. They get it most of the time.”
Randy Orton returned to WWE at Survivor Series 2023 after an eighteen-month absence which saw him undergo major back surgery. Following the operation, doctors told him he’d never wrestle again.
H/t to Fightful