Ryan Michael & Shane Howard Talk One-on-One About Randy Orton

Pro Wrestling Community Leader Shane Howard and I have been known to disagree from time to time.

So while I don't feel that either one of us has ever taken anything personally, I did feel that it would be interesting to exchange views on my personal favorite subject—Randy Orton.

I am of the opinion that Orton is underrated and I imagine that Shane is of the view that he is overrated. So, I contacted Shane directly, and he was more than willing to exchange views.

The following is what we had to say about the subject (Ryan's answers are in bold; Shane's are not).

1. You feel that Randy Orton has had the business handed to him. How much of a factor do you feel his lineage has had on his success in the WWE and where do you think that the same Randy Orton would stand today had he not had the same heritage?

I definitely feel that Orton's name is the reason why he is where he is.

This is what is said on Randy-Orton.com: "Being a third-generation Superstar, Randy Orton’s arrival in WWE was seemingly inevitable. After all, he was practically raised in the business that both his father and grandfather excelled in. It’s no wonder he has quickly ascended to the higher echelons of the RAW roster and eventually became the youngest World Heavyweight Champion ever."

I don't think I really need to say anything else, but I shall. He wrestled for one month in the Indies before signing with the WWE. Within a year he was out of OVW and up on Smackdown.

Let's not also forget that he was pretty much hand-selected by HHH and Flair not too long after coming onto the main stage. So, he goes from being like the Mayor's kid to also being the Teacher's favorite. How could he not succeed?

If we are talking 2002, than I would agree with you in saying that Randy Orton was the beneficiary of his own family's legacy. But in all due fairness, there is a reason for that and it stretches beyond name-recognition.

Having the last name "Orton" helped but at the same time, there is an added value to men of pedigree. Not only because of their name but because often times they inherit a large degree of talent. That makes them more valuable than the average blue-chipper working next to them in many instances.

If that was a gamble on WWE's part back in 2002, it more than paid off in a short period of time.

In my view, Randy Orton would be a top star today had his last name been "Smith."

While he once lived off of the third-generation gimmick, he's his own man today with the only reference to his lineage being in the basic concept of his Legacy.

So to sum up my thoughts, I feel that Randy Orton was initially given some big breaks but those breaks eventually ended up benefiting the WWE as much as they did Randy Orton.

I certainly don't think he gets much preferential treatment today because of his lineage, he's made himself untouchable through hard work, god-given talent, charisma, and ability to entertain the fans.

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