5 lesser-known WWE backstage stories about Roman Reigns: Why Triple H forced him to apologize to the locker room, real-life heat with Randy Orton

#4 Roman Reigns’ real-life heat with Randy Orton in WWE

Roman Reigns and Randy Orton shared real-life heat backstage

Roman Reigns shares a good relationship with a lot of WWE Superstars backstage. But his equation with Randy Orton has been rocky at times. Their conflict started way back when Reigns was still a part of the Shield. Reports claim that Orton and Reigns were once involved in a botched spot during their match at a live event. It led to both men screaming at each other in the backstage area.

Following the Shield’s split, Roman Reigns was involved in a feud with Randy Orton. Reigns believed that The Viper was purposely compromising the progress of their rivalry. He was convinced that Orton used his “crowd killing style” to “kill his push.” Both superstars eventually sorted things out and engaged in an entertaining rivalry on WWE RAW.

When Roman Reigns pulled out of WrestleMania 36, he was asked about his opinion on the show after returning as the heel. The Tribal Chief praised Randy Orton among other superstars and credited him for a great pay-per-view. Roman Reigns described Orton as “less lethargic” but insisted that the latter is great when he enjoys what he is doing.

“The fans wouldn’t have been calling for me to come back,” said Reigns. "The company wouldn’t need me. If it was really all good, I might still be at home, so I think there are some people who are showing some some glimmers, but the people who are doing good now, they were doing good before I left, Bray Wyatt [and] Seth Rollins. Actually, Drew stepped up. I couldn’t imagine this being my opening title run to deal with it through a pandemic."

“So a lot of respect out to Drew. Randy’s always been Randy. He seems like he’s a little less lethargic, and he’s got a little pet to his step and he’s enjoying himself. So I think that’s always been a thing for Randy. If Randy’s having fun, I think it translates. If he’s not, you can definitely see when he’s not. It’s funny, like he doesn’t care. If he’s not into it, you’re going to kind of see it, but he seems like he’s into what he’s doing,” Reigns said.

Although Roman Reigns and Randy Orton didn’t always share a good relationship, it rarely affected their matches inside the ring. They faced each other in excellent in-ring bouts back in 2014 before Reigns eventually defeated Orton at SummerSlam to end their rivalry.

Randy Orton has been absent from television over the last month, but he is now reportedly close to returning on WWE RAW.