WWE Star Got Emotional Watching Randy Orton Entrance

A big-name WWE star has nothing but love for Randy Orton.

By his own admission, Randy Orton’s early years in WWE were punctuated by bad behaviour, and an even worse attitude. While he found success in the ring relatively quickly, outside of it he was far from popular with many.

However, in more recent times, now firmly into the ‘veteran’ stage of his career, Orton has become beloved both on and off screen.

At Backlash, when teaming with Kevin Owens to take on Tama Tonga and Solo Sikoa, Orton was greeted as a returning hero by the boisterous crowd. Although Orton and Owens came up short against The Bloodline, KO is proud he got to share the ring with The Viper on that now-famous French night.

While appearing on The Bump, Owens paid tribute to the sure-fire Hall of Famer.

“The most amazing part for me was actually seeing the love and respect they showed Randy [Orton]. Not to dwell on it, but Randy is somebody I’ve looked up to for so long, even before I even got to WWE as an aspiring wrestler.

Then once I got here, someone who, in my opinion, is exactly what a veteran should be and what we should all aspire to be, as far as an example in the locker room. Wasn’t always perfect in his younger years, but he readily admits to it, owns up to the mistakes he’s made. He’s truly a leader, without wanting to be one, without saying he’s a leader. He doesn’t have to say he’s a locker room leader, he just is. To me, he’s been, as beloved as he is, because he really is, it’s still not enough in my opinion.

To see the reception those fans gave him, and to see that after all these years doing this, because he’s been here a very, very long time, and he’s lived some really amazing things in his career, to see him get…he was soaking it in, and I could tell it meant a lot to him.

That made me almost a little emotional, honestly, before the match started, when he was coming out. I could see it meant a lot to him, and yeah, that was a really special moment. That’s what I take away the most from that whole thing, and the fans, they were incredible all night, but what they did for Randy, giving him the love and respect he deserves, that was really cool,”

Randy Orton Tips Rising Star For Greatness

Ahead of Backlash, Randy Orton was asked for his thoughts on the future of WWE. The former World Champion said that in his mind there are several young stars primed for future success, but named Austin Theory as a standout performer.

Orton said Theory “has the world by the balls” after avoiding mistakes he made in his own career.

H/t to Fightful