Randy Orton Reflects On What Made His 2009 Villain Character So Memorable

Randy Orton has offered an insight into one of WWE’s most memorable villain portrayals, explaining why his 2009 heel character continues to generate fan obsession years later.

The 14-time world champion’s sadistic persona during that period – which included attacking every member of the McMahon family and psychological torture of Triple H – has achieved cult status online, spawning countless memes and compilation videos across social media.

Randy Orton was recently interviewed by Billboard.

I remember in ’09, it all kinda clicked as a bad guy. I just kind of let loose and acted a little bit more crazy. Even down to the body language and stuff.

The Apex Predator believes his success during this era came from a perfect storm of creative freedom, strong booking, and high-profile opponents. After winning the 2009 Royal Rumble, Orton embarked on one of the most memorable villain runs of the modern era.

I think what it came down to was who I was facing in the ring in ’09. I was booked really strong. I think I won the Rumble that year and main-evented WrestleMania with Triple H.

His feud with Triple H featured some of the most controversial moments of the PG era, including a now-infamous segment where Orton tormented a handcuffed Triple H by attacking his wife, Stephanie McMahon.

I did the thing where he was handcuffed and I assaulted Stephanie in front of him and he was an inch away. He had to sit there and watch as I messed with her. I kicked Vince in the head. I destroyed the entire McMahon family, and looked real strong doing it.

Orton credits WWE’s commitment to his character as crucial to its success, drawing parallels to another top star who received long-term company backing.

I think when a company gets behind a character like that – I mean look at Roman Reigns. I think it’s been 11, 12 years since they decided he was the guy. When the company gets behind somebody, they can make that guy a star. If that’s what they want, that’s what they’ll get.

Randy Orton also reflected on that career-defining period.

For a chunk of ’09, that was the case with me. I think it was [a matter of] being given an opportunity in ’09 and I had a home run with it.

Why Won’t Randy Orton Ever Change His WWE Theme?

Also during the interview, Randy Orton revealed he was set to lose his ‘Voices’ theme music he has used for years, but that now won’t be happening, ever since the crowd at Backlash France in Lyon sung the song word for word, and now fans all around the world are doing the same.

H/t to Fightful