Randy Orton Reveals The Details Behind His 2006 Suspension

Randy Orton

While Randy Orton now stands as a near 20-year veteran and one of the most decorated WWE Superstars in history, his career hasn’t always been plain sailing.

Shortly after WrestleMania 22, Orton was written off television, when in storyline it was reported that The Viper had suffered a broken ankle at the hands of Kurt Angle. In reality, Orton had been suspended by WWE for 60 days.

During a recent appearance on The Broken Skull Sessions with Stone Cold Steve Austin, Orton has now lifted the lid on that troubled time in his career.

“I don’t think there (a family-friendly version). Off the reservation, dark, dark, dark. That 60 days happened for reasons. During that 60 days, I did some other shit that landed me a spot where I needed some help. I got the help, I came back, and I still wasn’t right. About a year, in the middle of 2007 where I was working with Edge and I think [John] Cena, where I came out of that funk and luckily everything was alright,”

At the time of Orton’s suspension, his departure was attributed to anger management issues. Randy Orton recalled how things came to a head after it was discovered he’d been smoking a joint.

“My problems came to a head when I decided to smoke a joint and someone smelled it and stooged me off. You know who you are, so if you’re reading this, thanks. But I also had a few outbursts of anger on the road. I get loud and verbally abusive. But I’ve nipped that part of me in the bud.”

He continued, “I attended an anger management clinic in Atlanta. It cost $15,000 for a four-week stay. I had to live down there on the campus. The first week I was there, I was like, OK, I’ll do what I have to do to get out of here.” But then I started to realize, wow, I was wrong in a lot of these situations. I just got this reputation of being hard to work with, being a dick, and everything in the book. But the truth is, I don’t flip out anymore.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Orton outlined his desire to wrestle for another decade, as well as revealing the origins of his now legendary RKO.

H/t to Fightful for the transcription.