ESPN.com is featuring an interview with WWE star Randy Orton where he discusses a number of topics including being a second/third generation star in WWE, Ric Flair, Triple H and more. Here are some highlights.
On the advantage of being a second/third generation star:
“When you grow up in the business as a fan and as the son of someone who wrestles for Vince and wrestles for WWE, you see a lot of backstage stuff and how the wrestlers interact with each other. When I was a kid, these wrestlers really took me under their wing when I got to travel with my dad during the summers. I was so young, traveling with my dad when I was five, six, and seven years old, but I look back and I was so lucky because the guys who are coming up now, most of them only got to watch wrestling on television as a fan. What’s different about me, I was bred for it.”
If the hype is true in traveling with Ric Flair:
“Oh my god, yeah. Everything is five star with that guy, from the hotels to the wine and champagne. Before I was married, before I was with my wife, I was traveling with Ric Flair and women were everywhere. It was crazy. The lifestyle he leads, he’s the wheelin’, dealin’, kiss-stealin’ son of a gun. He’s Ric Flair and there’s no one like him, there won’t ever be another like him in the wrestling world again. No one will match up to Ric Flair and how he lives.”
On Triple H:
“And of course, Triple H is right there too, giving me all the little tips. He loves this business. He is one of those guys who was a fan growing up, but it’s different with him because he got it so quick, the understanding of how everything works and the psychology you need to have in the ring and with the fans.”
On more “legacy kids” in WWE’s developmental system:
“Mike Rotunda has two boys who are in FCW, the WWE’s developmental system. Then of course there was (Superfly) Snuka’s son who had his shot, but he’s out. Afa the Wild Samoan’s son had his shot, but he’s out. One guy I’ve been looking at really closely is Harry Smith. He’s Davey Boy Smith’s son, and he’s a big, young kid who has that hunger. He’s a strong boy, and I think he’s at that age now where he’s learned from some of the mistakes he’s made in the past. He originally debuted as DH Smith, but he’s a completely different person right now. I have my eye on him, but we’ll have to see what the future holds. I need one more guy, but he has to have wrestling in his blood and he has to have that potential to one day follow in my footsteps. I won’t settle for anything less.”
To check out the full interview, click here.