Randy Orton has detailed why he uses the RKO as a finisher.
One of the most iconic finishing moves in WWE history, the RKO requires little set up and really can be hit at short notice. So much so that Orton’s popularity only increased when viral RKO clips were uploaded to social media. Whether it was executed on Evan Bourne, Seth Rollins or even Nia Jax, everyone has a favourite RKO. However, as longtime fans of The Viper are aware, this was not always Orton’s finisher.
Back in OVW and his early days on the main roster, Orton would put away his opponents with a Full Nelson slam or the O-Zone, a twisting slam where Orton wrapped his leg around his opponent’s head. In a new interview, Orton revealed that he would go on to use the RKO as he is always conscious of an injury that took place more than 20 years ago.
Shortly after his debut on WWE Raw in 2002, the former World Champion suffered a shoulder injury that sidelined him for months. Although Orton was able to fully recover, the injury is always in the back of his mind.
Speaking on Impaulsive, Orton was asked by Logan Paul why he decided to use the RKO as a finishing move. Orton admitted that he didn’t want to perform high-impact moves after injuring his shoulders and wanted a move where he could protect himself:
“Essentially, I blew my shoulders out early in my career, I’ve had three shoulder operations. So, you can go back, and very rarely will you ever see me pick a guy up. If you look in the last 10 years, other than Rey Mysterio, or a Dom, I don’t pick guys up, I don’t do power moves, it’s because I don’t need to do it.
“I can pick up a guy and slam him, my shoulders are healthy and fine, but when I blew them out early on, in my head I’ve got it where I’ve got to protect my shoulders. I go way overboard with protecting my shoulders, because I don’t want to be on the shelf with another shoulder injury, but I know that I don’t need to do it.”
Continuing his thought process, Orton stated that the move is very effective as it can be performed to anyone, much like a lot of the best moves in wrestling:
“So I needed a move that I could do to everybody, Rey Mysterio or Omos. I wanted to be able to do that finishing move to everybody, and that was the best choice.”
Did Randy Orton Invent The RKO?
While Orton has popularised the move in the 21st century, the move was actually invented by John Laurinaitis and popularised by WCW star DDP:
“[John Laurinaitis] used to do a move called the Ace Crusher, very very similar to the RKO. Diamond Dallas Page, who I’m sure you’re familiar with, he did the Diamond Cutter, both those moves inspired me to come up with the RKO.”
In the same interview, Randy Orton broke down how he likes to structure his matches and which philosophy he prefers.
In a separate interview, Randy Orton explained the meaning behind his viral toe touch.
If you use any quotes from this article please credit Impaulsive and leave a h/t to Inside The Ropes.