It is believed that WWE RAW Superstar Randy Orton suffered some sort of leg or knee injury during Sunday’s live event in Hershey, PA. According to several fans on Twitter, the injury happened minutes into his match against AJ Styles. The match was stopped and Orton was helped to the back by trainers.
WWE issued an update today and acknowledged unconfirmed reports of the leg injury, and noted that Orton is undergoing a medical evaluation.
Below is the full announcement on Orton:
Randy Orton undergoes medical evaluation following WWE Live EventAmid various unconfirmed reports that Randy Orton sustained a leg injury during a match at WWE’s Live Event in Hershey, Pa., on Sunday night, WWE.com has learned that the 13-time World Champion is undergoing a medical evaluation. The extent of any potential injuries suffered by Orton is not yet known.
Tensions between WWE and AEW escalated on Monday when Randy Orton went back back and forth on social media with All Elite Wrestling President Tony Khan.
Things kicked off earlier today when CM Punk tagged Khan in a tweet promoting his appearance on tomorrow’s episode of WWE Backstage. “It IS weird trying to catch up on 5+ years of rasslin’, I’m doing what I can. There’s bright spots, mostly women from what I can tell. There’s BAD too. I’m gonna talk about it, and no one is safe. Join us,” he wrote.
Tony Khan responded hours later saying, “No one is safe? Sounds like a plane full of wrestlers in Saudi Arabia!” This was obviously in reference to WWE’s recent travel delays after Crown Jewel.
“What’s that whole thing about glass houses and stones,” Orton replied along with a news article on allegations made against Tony’s father Shahid Khan, who funded the promotion.
Tony wrote back: “I thought you only tagged me in your posts when you were grasping for leverage. That article’s over a year old + is about baseless claims made about my dad years ago. That’s the best you can do, nothing. Meanwhile in the time since that was written, you used the N word on twitch.”
And lastly, Randy ended the night firing back with: “Jacksonville Dixie: Why else would I tag you? If I wanted to talk business, I’d call your father.” He also added a kissy-face emoji.
You can see the tweets below:
It IS weird trying to catch up on 5+ years of rasslin’, I’m doing what I can. There’s bright spots, mostly women from what I can tell. There’s BAD too. I’m gonna talk about it, and no one is safe. Join us. @ReneeYoungWWE @WWEonFOX@BookerT5x @RealPaigeWWE @VinceMcMahon@TonyKhan
I thought you only tagged me in your posts when you were grasping for leverage. That article’s over a year old + is about baseless claims made about my dad years ago. That’s the best you can do, nothing. Meanwhile in the time since that was written, you used the N word on twitch.
Last night on WWE Backstage it was revealed that Randy Orton has signed a new multi-year WWE contract.
Back in 2010, it was reported Orton signed a ten-year deal with WWE.
Late last month Orton was posting photos with “Elite” in them, teasing a possible move to AEW with his contract expiring soon, obviously that is no longer the case.
Orton also commented on Twitter and noted the deal is “at least 5 more years.”
The 3 most dangerous letters in sports entertainment- #RKO just re-signed with the 3 most dominant letters in sports entertainment- #WWE Looking forward to pi$$ing off the #WWEUNIVERSE for at least 5 more years #WWEBACKSTAGE@FS1@WWE
“I’m glad to put the rumors to rest,” Triple H stated. “For almost two decades, Randy Orton has been a cornerstone of WWE…and Randy Orton will remain a cornerstone of WWE for a long time!”
Randy Orton recently got the wrestling world talking when he posted a cryptic picture on his Instagram account. The photo shows Orton looking at a sign at says “ELITE LEVEL.” The caption read “tick tock tick tock” and he tagged Riddick Moss, Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder, Luke Harper, AEW Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes and AEW World Champion Chris Jericho.
The post was spotted by Jericho who commented Orton’s post, stating, “Send in a tape and some pix and I’ll see what I Can do….??”
During the latest podcast of “The Hall of Fame” with Booker T, the WWE Hall of Famer spoke on the Instagram post from Orton. Noting that Orton is a man who “walks to the beat of his own drum”.
“Look at the talent they [AEW] has,” Booker said. “Cody Rhodes, The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega and Randy Orton is an elite level player. I always said Randy Orton is an elite wrestler, an elite superstar.
“He’s my guy, I always said that and one thing about Randy is he’s always been a rebel, he’s always been a guy that walks to the beat of his own drum. If anybody was to do something crazy it would be Randy.”
Booker went on to suggest that Orton, who throughout his career has been involved in some controversial moments, is a man who likes to be “on the edge”.
“A lot of those guys over there [in AEW] are on the edge,” Booker added. “Look at Jon Moxley, he was on the edge. I’ll say it right now if it happens I would not be surprised, but I don’t think something like that is going to happen I think Randy Orton is safe and he’s taken care of very well in the WWE.
“But anything is possible. Like Randy “Macho Man” Savage would say ‘always expect the unexpected’.”
Back in 2010, it was reported that Orton signed a ten-year deal with WWE. With his contract coming up soon and Orton looking for an easier schedule, a tease to AEW could help in potential contract talks with both AEW and WWE. During a recent Twitch stream of Call of Duty, Orton praised AEW’s debut on TNT, and also talking about doing a potential match with Sammy Guevara down the line.
“Cody and Sammy Guevara, that kid can do some s–t,” Orton admitted. “I’d love to work with that kid. They had a great match. I thought opening the show with that match was a good idea and well received.”
Tuesday night’s WWE SmackDown Live saw Randy Orton mention former TNA President Dixie Carter during his promo to set up the AJ Styles match at WrestleMania 35.
Orton said, “This is the house that AJ Styles built, right? Well, what I don’t understand is, in 2002 AJ Styles was wrestling for $10 a night in a high school gymnasium, in front of 12 people, while I was here making my WWE in-ring debut. In 2004, AJ Styles was shaking hands with his opponents in the bingo halls and I was here becoming the youngest WWE Champion ever. In 2005, AJ was down in Florida getting a tan with Dixie Carter while I was here facing The Undertaker at WrestleMania. In 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, I was here and I was a champion. This isn’t the house that AJ Styles built, this house was built long before AJ Styles ever stepped foot in this ring. This is the house that Randy Orton built.”
After a fan pointed out how Dixie was trending on social media due to the mention on SmackDown, Dixie took to Twitter tonight and responded to Orton’s jab.
Dixie wrote, “@AJStylesOrg & I never had to tan as we were always golden. My historical recollection is different than yours @RandyOrton. #SDLive”
Styles vs. Orton is expected to take place at WrestleMania 35 after Styles issued the challenge on SmackDown. Dixie has been away from the spotlight after her last Impact Wrestling appearance in January 2016. This is not her first time tweeting on the WWE storylines as she has made a few comments on EC3, her storyline nephew in TNA, since he was announced for the main roster. Dixie also appeared as an interviewee on the WWE 24 special about WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle, which premiered in the summer of 2017 on the WWE Network.
You can see Dixie’s full tweet below. Orton and Styles have not responded as of this writing.
During a segment last night on SmackDown Live, Randy Orton wonders how this could be The House that AJ Styles Built. Orton says in 2002, he was making his WWE debut while AJ was wrestling for $10 per night in a local gym with 12 people in the crowd. In 2004, AJ was working bingo halls while Orton was becoming the youngest WWE Champion. In 2005, AJ was in Florida getting a tan with Dixie Carter while Orton was going up against The Undertaker. He did not name TNA or Impact Wrestling, just the Dixie name-drop. And every year after that, Orton was here in WWE at the top, winning titles. Orton says this is not the house that AJ built, it was built long before AJ stepped foot in it. Orton goes on until the music interrupts and out comes AJ to a pop.
AJ says for someone who looks down on the indies, Orton sure did follow his career closely. AJ says he’s proud he came from the indies. AJ says he’s heard guys like Orton look down on AJ’s world but that’s fine because Orton would not have made it in his world. AJ points to Orton’s signature pose and says he has a knock-off Diamond Cutter. Orton points to how AJ and The Bullet Club, his pals, ripped off the “Too Sweet” gesture. AJ goes on about how Orton had help his whole career, especially on as Triple H, Batista and WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair made sure he wouldn’t fail. Orton defends his accomplishments and goes over some highlights from his career. Orton says no one has ever had to help him get… AJ interrupts and reminds Orton of Evolution, Legacy, Rated RKO, The Wyatt Family. AJ says it sounds like Orton had a lot of babysitters over the years.
AJ says don’t get him wrong, Orton is who he says he is – he’s a viper who uses everyone around him and then tosses them to the curb when he’s done. AJ says that’s why he got the jump on Orton with the attack at Fastlane, because he won’t be Orton’s next victim. Orton says AJ has no choice as long as he wants to rent a room where Orton is the landlord. Orton says rent is due, b—h, and AJ can make the check out to three letters… RKO. Orton drops the mic and goes to leave but AJ says if Orton wants his rent, he can come and take it. AJ points up at the WrestleMania 35 sign as he says this. They stare each other down and Orton looks up at the WrestleMania sign. Graves wonders if Orton will accept the challenge. Orton exits the ring and stares AJ down as AJ’s music hits.
Recently a user at Reddit, CarterVoorhes31, created a post highlighting a story from a years old MLW podcast featuring former WWE writer Court Bauer. In it, Bauer, a former writer with WWE, related a story of Randy Orton acting inappropriately with writers.
From the Reddit post:
Court Bauer on Randy Orton: “For every new writer that would show up, he come in the room put his hand down his pants, pull out his dick, touch himself, then say “I’m Randy Orton, shake my hand…oh you dont want to shake my hand? You’re big leaguing me? That’s fucked up man. Should I tell Vince and Steph you wont shake Randy Ortons hand?”
The writers would all start sweating and backing up into the corner, the guys dick is still hanging out, and he would be there cutting a promo on a guy with his dick hanging out for like five minutes. Court goes on to say Orton was very intense so you could never tell if he was fucking with you or he was really hot.
Court says he was lucky…Randy did it to him on the 1st day he was with the company at tv and just as he was about to pull his dick out, Stephanie walked in, and that shit went right back in his pants. Court describes it as a teacher entering the classroom.
When asked if he would have shaken his hand, Court says “I dont know. I’m a bit of a germaphobe.” Court says this was something Orton did during his [Court’s] entire time at the WWE, and he is surprised Orton didnt get hit with sexual harassment.
As that post made its way around social media, someone asked Bauer if it was true and he responded quite simply:
Randy Orton took the microphone this week on SmackDown Live and cut a promo on the fans blaming them for his heel turn. He inserted real-life issues in his promo as well which amplified his point.
Orton created controversy last year when he commented on a meme chastising indie wrestling.The gist of the message was indie wrestling follows a formula and consists of one dive after another with little selling. The Viper was sure to mention that he doesn’t do any dives and questioned if this was why fans weren’t drawn to him during his promo this week.
Bully Ray was impressed when he watched Orton’s promo on SmackDown this week. The WWE Hall Of Famer discussed Orton’s segment on Busted Open Radio and praised the way he utilized his time. The third-generation Superstar utilized his words and tone to make the segment even more believable, but the success of his promo was a combination of many factors.
“I enjoyed a variety of things on SmackDown starting out with Orton’s promo which I think he knocked out of the park,” Bully Ray said. “I think he did a great job with it and it was a lot of things. It was the words he was saying and it was also the tone in his voice, the inflection in his voice and the way he delivered it.”
Orton’s promo on SmackDown Live touched on several aspects of the professional wrestling business. He gave fans a rare glimpse backstage as he discussed some issues seldom addressed on television.
Orton even took a shot at The Bullet Club, saying, “I’m not some indie darling that competed in run-down bingo halls and I didn’t steal some sweet hand gesture either.”
Bully went on to discuss the crowd’s reaction and how their silence was due more to anticipation than disinterest. This was a real moment in professional wrestling where Orton was able to exhibit his skills on the microphone. Orton created an honest moment on SmackDown Live where he genuinely seemed upset which only helped sell the angle even more.
“Randy Orton believed everything he was saying last night,” Bully Ray continued. “If you listened to the reaction of the people, there was hush over the crowd. That hush wasn’t that they were disinterested. It was a hush like, ‘oh my god Randy does sound pissed off and it sounds like he’s about to take out all his frustrations out on a lot of different people.”
Randy Orton will be out of action for awhile on SmackDown Live after undergoing successful surgery on his knee. WWE issued the following:
Randy Orton has undergone successful surgery to repair a medial meniscus tear in his left knee, WWE.com can confirm.
“I’ve known I needed the surgery since late last year, but I’ve been waiting for the right time to get my knee cleaned out,” Orton told WWE.com. “Right now was the right time.”
The Viper is currently recovering at home with his family, but says he is “staying motivated to come back and dominate the blue brand.”
Stay with WWE.com as more details on Orton’s condition become available.
The following article is up on Sportskeeda.com and was written by Anirban Banerjee. I have the pleasure, on the first Saturday of each month in my duties as Ring Announcer for Hoosier Pro Wrestling (HPW), to work directly with Flash Flanagan, who this article is about. ”
Flash was seen on WWE programming as an EMT more than once in the last few days. The picture above wasn’t this weekend but comes from Flash’s Facebook profile.
Flash is the ultimate professional, and his love for the wrestling business is like none other that I have seen. It’s so awesome that he is getting this opportunity. He certainly deserves it.
Ed Boston
WWE News: Randy Orton vouches for Indy Wrestler to WWE officials
Hopefully, the Indy Wrestler will be signed by WWE officials
Randy Orton makes his entrance at WrestleMania
What’s the story?
Randy Orton is not known for being the most selfless WWE star. This time, however, he reportedly did a wrestler from the Independent Scene a favour by recommending him to WWE officials as a potential signee.
A former WWE Enhancement Talent, Flash Flanagan was present backstage during Sunday, Monday and Tuesday’s shows. According to F4WOnline (H/T Wrestling Inc), he was getting a look at from WWE officials as Randy Orton did him a favour and recommended him to the authorities backstage.
In case you didn’t know…
Flash Flanagan is a veteran wrestler on the Independent Scene. He has been connected to WWE previously, but only worked there as an Enhancement Talent. He wrestled in Ohio Valley Wrestling, the old developmental territory of WWE.
There he won the OVW Championship on four separate occasions. On WWE television Flanagan had lost to Brian Christopher in a Light Heavyweight Championship Tournament match in 1997. He also wrestled on Shotgun Saturday night and had a few dark matches as well. He does hold a victory over Chris Jericho when he pinned him in 2001 to retain the OVW Title.
He also wrestled in other promotions like Impact Wrestling, then known as TNA, and the International Wrestling Association.
The heart of the matter
He faced Randy Orton in a dark match in 2001 before the live broadcast of Raw. The match took place when Orton was still a rookie and just emerging in the wrestling business. On that occasion, Orton won the bout between the two.
You can see the match here:
Orton seemed to return the favour 17 years later when he recommended him to WWE officials and got him an opportunity to be looked at backstage.
He was present at the WWE shows on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, where the WWE officials were reportedly evaluating him backstage.
What’s next?
Flanagan is now 43 years old and wrestles for Hoosier Pro Wrestling in Indiana and SICW Wrestling Explosion in Illinois. If the WWE officials liked him, Flanagan may be signed by WWE in the coming months.
You can see Jericho take on Flash Flanagan in this video:
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