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Legendary pro wrestling journalist Bill Apter recently recalled how Randy Orton prepared for matches in a unique way earlier in his career.
Orton joined WWE's Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) developmental system in 2000 before debuting on the main roster two years later. Prior to signing with WWE, the 14-time world champion briefly wrestled on the independent scene.
Apter appeared on the latest episode of Sportskeeda's The Wrestling Time Machine with Mac Davis and Teddy Long. The wrestling legend said he once witnessed Orton making himself angry to get in the right frame of mind for a match:
"I first met Randy when he was doing an independent show in, I believe, Indianapolis, and he was just starting out," Apter stated. "I could see when he was backstage, he was just walking back and forth, back and forth, and trying to work up this almost anger for when he got into the ring, like a method actor almost, and I didn't approach him with it." [2:07 – 2:33]
Watch the video above to hear Bill Apter, Mac Davis, and Teddy Long discuss the possibility of Randy Orton facing his tag team partner Matt Riddle.
Bill Apter recalls how Randy Orton "wasn't approachable"
Method actors usually psych themselves up for a role by thinking about a past experience that made them feel a specific emotion. Some movie stars have been known to stay in character for months at a time while preparing to shoot scenes.
In Randy Orton's case, Bill Apter added that a photographer at the independent show knew not to disturb The Viper moments before his match:
"There was a photographer, a lady down there, and I don't remember her name, that said the same thing that I just said. An hour or two before his matches, he wasn't approachable because he was getting so deep into his character." [2:34 – 2:48]
Orton has not wrestled for the last 12 months due to a serious back injury. His father, WWE Hall of Famer Bob Orton Jr., recently revealed that doctors have told his son not to wrestle again.
Are you a fan of Randy Orton? Let us know in the comments section below.
Please credit Sportskeeda's The Wrestling Time Machine and embed the video if you use quotes from this article.
