Randy Orton opens up on how WWE punished him earlier in his career

Randy Orton is one of the most respected and reliable Superstars on the WWE roster in 2019, but the 13-time World Champion often found himself in trouble behind the scenes early on in his career.

Speaking on this week’s episode of Corey Graves’ After The Bell podcast, Orton was asked by the SmackDown commentator how he has maintained such a high level as one of WWE’s top Superstars for so long.

"The Viper" went on to discuss the second chances that WWE has repeatedly given him during his 18 years with the company, which included time-outs and fines.

“A little bit of luck, a little bit of talent. I don’t know. I know that I’ve been given, earlier in my career, I was given multiple second chances. I’d get in trouble for it, there would be a punishment, whether it was time-out or fines, but I would always come back. I am very consistent. I’m a guy that you can put in there with a Ricochet, for instance, and I can possibly help out talent that needs a little bit of a push or needs a change.”

As well as Ricochet, Orton name-checked Finn Balor, Mustafa Ali and Shorty G as three Superstars who have been receptive to feedback he has given them in recent years.

(If you use quotes from this article, please credit After The Bell and give a H/T to Sportskeeda for the transcription).

Why was Randy Orton punished by WWE?

In 2006, Randy Orton spent four weeks at an anger management clinic after being suspended for 60 days due to unprofessional conduct. Later that year, he went on to receive a 30-day suspension for violating the company’s Wellness Policy.

Six years later, WWE suspended Orton for another 60 days in 2012 following his second Wellness Policy violation.

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