Randy Orton is without a doubt a future WWE Hall of Famer. Already a 12-time World Champion (and also has the honor of being the youngest) and has one of the longer tenures with the company going on 15 years. Obviously, being in this business for that long of time, you’re going to see how it evolves as its roster changes and the product takes on a new form.
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Orton started up in what has been called the Ruthless Aggression era. It was the starting point for future main eventers like Batista, John Cena, and Brock Lesnar. The newest member of the Wyatt Family and current Smackdown Tag Team Champion opened up on the changes he’s personally witnessed in the locker room and how he feels about it a recent interview with CBS Sports.
“I remember walking into our locker room and there’s a few guys I can’t even name, but you had a crew of guys that were very intimidating and commanded respect,” he said. You could also go to them and get advice, and you would get that advice. Nowadays, a lot of the younger guys, I find myself, and I see other guys that have been around, having to go to them with suggestions on how to make their ‘product’ better. Whether it’s selling or facial expressions or just slowing down a little bit. But no, they’re not coming to us,” he continued, “and I remember just years ago, you were always seeking out that advice. It’s almost like some of these guys that have been in the indies 15 years think they know everything. That’s probably the only negative difference that sticks out to me”
“You could also go to them and get advice, and you would get that advice. Nowadays, a lot of the younger guys, I find myself, and I see other guys that have been around, having to go to them with suggestions on how to make their ‘product’ better. Whether it’s selling or facial expressions or just slowing down a little bit. But no, they’re not coming to us.”
Orton commented about how he sees guys who are coming into the WWE with 15 years experience and still think “they know everything”. He finds it having a negative impact and something that really stands out to him.
While still not naming names, Orton continues about how the locker room should be more unified and having that level of camaraderie benefits everybody around you.
“Whether it’s a guy that’s been in the indies for 15 years, comes up and doesn’t think he needs to go around and shake hands, you know, which sounds silly. But we’re all traveling the world together, around each other more than we’re with our families, and you know, you want to have that camaraderie.”
He also talked about the level of competition among the superstars of Smackdown Live and how it’s more of a friendly rivalry than anybody going out there to stab one another in the back.
“I can speak for our crew more than Raw, of course. But it’s a really good group of guys and gals and everybody respects each other.”
