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Hulk Hogan on Randy Orton: ‘He Understands Wrestling In A Way Very Few Do’

“If I wasn’t all beat to hell, I’d love to get in the ring with Randy”

Justin Barrasso

Hulk Hogan on Randy Orton: ‘He Understands Wrestling In A Way Very Few Do’
Hulk Hogan on Randy Orton: ‘He Understands Wrestling In A Way Very Few Do’ /

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Hulk Hogan on Randy Orton: “If I wasn’t all beat to hell, I’d love to get in the ring with Randy”

Hulk Hogan believes Randy Orton has no peer in pro wrestling.

The wrestling icon, who experienced two career-defining runs atop the industry, wrestled Orton in his final WWE match, which took place at SummerSlam in 2006. Since then, he has watched Orton develop, mature, and evolve into a legend.

Contents

  1. The (Online) Week in Wrestling
  2. Kenny Omega on Kazuchika Okada
  3. Tweet of the Week

“Randy’s done something I haven’t seen done before,” said Hogan. “He’s a hybrid. A third-generation wrestler who learned from the old school. You can’t see any holes in his work. Everything he does means something. Randy doesn’t get a guy in the corner and stomp him 20 times for no reason. He’ll stop you once or twice, and it means something. He understands how to adjust and adapt in a way no one else really does.”

Hogan, who began his in-ring career in 1977, shares a deep history with the Orton family. Hogan and “Cowboy” Bob Orton, who is Randy’s father, feuded in the 1980’s, where Orton famously played a role in the very first WrestleMania that starred Hogan.

“Randy’s father was unbelievable in the ring,” said Hogan. “Before I got in the business, I used to watch Bob Orton and Steve Keirn go at it. Steve was a year ahead of me in high school, and we’d always talk about wrestling. I was so hooked and dialed in. Years later, I got to work with Orton, and he was amazing in the ring.”

Hulk Hogan and a young Randy Orton
Hulk Hogan and a young Randy Orton / Courtesy WWE

An underrated and vastly talented heel, Orton learned the business from his father–“The Big O” Bob Orton.

“When I was getting into the business, I got to meet Randy’s grandfather, The Big O,” said Hogan. “He used to wrestle in Tampa. I was such a big wrestling mark, I’d chase the wrestlers to the local bar, the Imperial Room, where they’d all hang out. He was really nice to me, but he was mean as hell in the ring. He was something really special in the ring, too. During that time period, he’d leave lace prints on you. Nothing but respect for the whole Orton family.”

Courtesy WWE
Courtesy WWE

Orton just returned to WWE following an 18-month absence where he dealt with constant back issues. Looking absolutely shredded, Orton has instantly added value to Raw and SmackDown. Now 43, his style and approach have changed, yet he remains one of the most exciting wrestlers in the world.

“Watching Randy now, he fits perfectly,” said Hogan. “Not only does he adjust to the styles of the young guys, but watch his matches. He slows guys down and teaches them in the match. On the spot, he calls audibles and shows them how to do it. Open my hand, here’s the diamond. He’s transitioned from old school to this hybrid.”

Hogan turned 70 last summer, and his days main-eventing WWE shows have passed. But if he were ever able to find the fountain of youth and step back into the ring, he knows who he’d like to wrestle.

Courtesy WWE
Courtesy WWE

“If I wasn’t all beat to hell, I’d love to get in the ring with Randy,” said Orton. “We could still tear it down in the main event. Randy could call it in the ring, and he could adjust to my style to make sure it worked perfectly. He’s just so good. He can work with veterans and the newer guys, too. He knows how to pivot both ways in the ring.

“He understands wrestling in a way very few do. That’s why he is making masterpieces in the ring.”

The Weekend in Wrestling: Kenny Omega Out Indefinitely; AJ Styles Returns

The (Online) Week in Wrestling

  • While I still don’t see Drew McIntyre defeating Seth Rollins for the world heavyweight championship, he’s doing a tremendous job adding value to Raw.
  • R-Truth is bringing a whole new joy to The Judgment Day.
  • Carmelo Hayes defeated Grayson Waller last week on SmackDown, advancing in the United States Championship #1 contender tournament to wrestle Kevin Owens. That match airs this Friday on SmackDown, and it is the biggest match thus far in Hayes’ career.
  • Liv Morgan was arrested last week for marijuana possession.
  • After building some genuine momentum, NXT finished last night’s show with an inane storyline finish where Ridge Holland–who legitimately injured Big E, potentially ending his career in 2022–hurt the neck of Ilja Dragunov. How is this a good idea?
  • Gunther hit The Miz with a Rainmaker on Raw, instantly fueling speculation that Kazuchika Okada is WWE-bound.
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Kazuchika Okada Set To Become Free Agent In 2024

  • In an exciting development, New Japan Pro-Wrestling is teaming up with eight other promotions, including NOAH and All Japan, under the banner of United Japan Pro-Wrestling.
  • Jon Moxley can punch his ticket to the semi-finals of the Continental Classic with a victory later tonight against “Switchblade” Jay White on Dynamite.

Brian Myers Extends Contract With TNA Wrestling

  • There is no other way to put it: Charlotte Flair’s injury–a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus–is a massive blow to WWE.

Kenny Omega on Kazuchika Okada

Before diverticulitis placed Kenny Omega on the injured list, he was eager to resume his story with Kazuchika Okada.

Omega and Okada have not wrestled each other since 2018, but the two remain eternal rivals. That is even the case when they are getting along.

This past January, Omega teamed with Okada at New Japan’s New Year’s Dash show, adding a new chapter to their rivalry. With Okada becoming more of a fixture in AEW, it was only a matter of time before the two reconnected on-screen.

“I like that we cover the entire story, not just what happens in AEW,” said Omega in a conversation that took place weeks before he was hospitalized with diverticulitis. “If we were college rivals and then played against each other in the pros, people would want to know about it. Those types of stories matter to me. I’m glad that we, as a company in AEW, acknowledge where people have been and where we’re going. It will make the next clash even more special.”

When Okada wrestled on Dynamite in October, the two even shared the same locker room.

“Our relationship is very good,” said Omega, who speaks fluent Japanese with Okada. “He changes with us and works out with us and we talk. The relationship is really good.”

Omega laughed when asked if he–the former leader of Bullet Club–would ever accept an offer from Okada to join his faction, CHAOS.

“We’ll see,” said a smiling Omega. “We’ll see about that.”

Now that Omega is out indefinitely, any potential encounter with Okada is on hold. But if Okada signs with AEW in 2024, their paths will inevitably cross.

“If we wrestle again, I don’t think we’ll be changing in the same locker room,” said Omega. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”

Tweet of the Week

Congrats to Max on the honor.

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Justin Barrasso
JUSTIN BARRASSO

Justin Barrasso has been writing for Sports Illustrated since 2014. While his primary focus is pro wrestling and MMA, he has also covered MLB, NBA, and the NFL. He can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.

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