It
has been five years since WWE released their last Orton DVD, and like a lot of
the past releases of their more enduring Superstars it is due for an
update. Cue 'Randy Orton: RKO Outta
Nowhere' to fill this void. WWE's other
updated biographies, like the recent Brock Lesnar one, have shied away from any
repetition of matches from previous offerings, but with over a dozen WWE/World
Championships behind Orton this should contain some quality viewing. A quick check through the contents of the
three discs confirm that WWE are sticking by their current format of a
chronological match compilation, interspersed with highlight packages and short
interview-style segues, rather than a documentary followed by a match
compilation.
The
set begins with Randy ruminating on his start in the business at WWE
developmental territory OVW, being thankful for it being easier than most due
to his family background as a third-generation wrestler. It quickly moves on to his first 'dark' (or un-televised)
match against Flash Flanagan which has no commentary for obvious reasons, but
shows Orton's immense power and potential.
Orton's
career has paralleled that of John Cena in so many ways, and we slip back to
OVW to see one of their first (of very many) encounters, after The Viper gives
his early impressions of the then 'Prototype'.
Orton also discusses how he was treated by senior figures whilst
establishing himself on the main Roster, with highlights of his TV debut vs
Hardcore Holly, and in particular how the Undertaker dealt with the (included)
early championship match he was given.
Triple-H's run-in at the end leads us neatly to the formation of
Evolution, the alliance of Orton, HHH, Ric Flair and Batista. A 6-man elimination tag match against the
Dudley Boyz provides a fantastic example of this most excellent faction.
The
next two matches highlight the beginnings of the 'Legend Killer' gimmick and
Orton's substantial run as Intercontinental Champion, the longest for seven
years, with a defence against 'Legend' Chris Jericho, and his championship
rematch against Edge after finally losing the title at Vengeance. Despite this
title run and the ascension to his first World Heavyweight Championship
bringing prestige to Evolution, its permanent dissolution was inevitable once
Triple-H revealed his jealousy of Orton's title. An un-televised match from
their subsequent feud rounds out disc one, and adds some substantial rarity
value as well as Randy's insights into working with the now WWE Chief.
After
talking about working against Edge earlier, Orton focuses on their tag-team,
Rated-RKO, at the start of disc two.
Their brief title-run is demonstrated with a match against the Hardys,
before attention is switched to Randy's next WWE Championship reign with an
absolute humdinger of a stipulation match with Shaun Michaels at Survivor
Series '07. This is followed by the
Champion vs Champion match against Jeff Hardy at the following Royal Rumble and
then an incongruous four-year jump in time to 2011. I was mildly disappointed that The Legacy,
the faction that formed the bulk of his work during this time, has seemingly
been airbrushed from Orton's history.
Though, this may have more to do with Cody Rhodes' recent departure from
the company than anything.
Ignoring
that gap, the Last Man Standing match with CM Punk at Extreme Rules is a
beautiful example of pacing and psychology over spectacular 'spots'. Another Champion versus Champion match, this
time against US title holder Dolph Ziggler who Orton refers to as a 'top three'
talent, rounds out the second disc.
If a
four year jump is a bit much, then the third disc commences in contrast. The next match occurs only a day after the
previous one against Ziggler, a feud-ending Steel Cage match against Christian to retain his World
Championship. Another jump, this time of
just under two years, brings us into another period of dominance for the Apex
Predator and a brief discussion about ladder matches. The Money in the Bank Ladder Match 2013 is
the platform from which this success launched, and is filled with the athletes
that he has spent the intervening time feuding with.
After
using his MITB contract to win the WWE Championship, we get to the point of
most historic significance on the entire set: The Unification Match. WWE Champion Randy Orton met World Champion
John Cena in a TLC match to become the final World, and new WWE World
Heavyweight Champion. The two young
titans of the 2000s give a showing worthy of the occasion, which is just as
well with the establishment of the new Universal Championship virtually ruling
out any resurrection of the Big Gold Belt in the New Era.
After
the significance of that match, the remaining three bouts may seem a little
lacklustre, but the wrestling content is still watch-worthy, and significantly
we get to hear Orton's opinions on the Superstars of Today. Randy obviously likes working against Dean
Ambrose, considering the compliments he gives, and the intensity of the match
shown. The intensity continues for the
high-profile Wrestlemania XXXI fight with Seth Rollins, on his own steamroller
course for the title. Probably the
highest praise is reserved for Cesaro and his strength, and a spectacularly
explosive triple threat between him, Orton and Kevin Owens concludes the DVD
set.
Whilst
the gaps and total resistance to any repetition from any other sets makes this
collection a little disjointed in terms of chronology, it is, quite
appropriately, a beautifully coherent record of Randy's evolution, and well
worth owning. From The Legend Killer to
Legend, from Rookie to Ring General, this set successfully documents Orton's
legacy and The Viper's place as WWE's Apex Predator.
Available
now from www.WWEDVD.co.uk
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