Happy Birthday! "The Viper" Randy Orton Turns 35

In the world of professional wrestling, there are dozens of legends, but only one Legend Killer. [...]

By Lan Pitts

randy-orton-rko
(Photo: WWE)

In the world of professional wrestling, there are dozens of legends, but only one Legend Killer.

Randy Orton turns 35 today, but is an established and decorated wrestler that few have accomplished even well beyond that age. Orton holds the distinction of becoming the youngest World Heavyweight Champion at the age of 24 and at 27 became the youngest two-time WWE Champion. He's collected 12 World Championships so far his career.

Debuting in 2002, but quickly getting sidelined, Orton cut several vignettes about his return with the RNN Updates. They showed some of Orton's comedic abilities while still showing off a cocky side.

Think about how this would have gone over if Twitter had been around.

He is a Triple Crown Winner having won the Intercontinental Championship while in the group Evolution, which was a modern day Four Horsemen stable led by Triple H from 2003 to 2005. Orton created the Legend Killer gimmick early in his career taking on the likes of Mick Foley and Shawn Michaels. Even getting into it with former NWA Champion Harley Race down the line as well. He's also won the Tag Team Championship with Edge, forming the alliance dubbed Rated RKO in 2006.

Orton, a third-generation wrestler, was born to be not only a WWE performer, but one of the greatest champions of his generation.

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