Randy Orton is at a point in his career where every match feels special. After more than 20 years in WWE, The Viper isn’t just chasing titles anymore; he is wrestling with a new sense of gratitude after what he calls a big “reality check.”
In 2022, Orton had double spinal fusion surgery. It was serious, and he ended up being out of action for 18 months, the longest break of his career. Doctors even suggested he think about retiring because of how bad his back was.
Now, the veteran has significantly changed his wrestling style and limited his appearances.
Randy Orton Reflects on Changing His Approach to His Body and Career
Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, Orton admitted that earlier in his career, he didn’t always take care of his body the way he should have. He said he was lucky nothing worse happened back then.
“I take care of my body and the thing is, early on i nmy career, I think I got lucky because I was horrible to my body. Like I was doing all sorts of sh*t I shouldn’t been doing and I kind of had a reality check and I turned things around,” Orton said.
Now, he wrestles smarter. Instead of doing risky moves just for the reaction, he focuses on making everything count. It’s more about telling a good story in the ring. That is one big change he made in his performances.
“You know, like the in-ring work that we talked about earlier, I make sure that everything I’m doing, there’s a reason that I’m doing it. I’m not just throwing myself around,” Orton said.
He has also become a mentor in the locker room. Orton mentioned Je’Von Evans and praised him but said he doesn’t need to do such big moves in every match. According to him, saving some of that energy can help a wrestler last longer.
“I see young guys come up, and you know, they don’t hurt. Je’Von Evans, perfect example. He is incredible. But I’ve had a couple talks with him, because he’s doing so many things that nobody else can do. And he just… he doesn’t need to do them all every night,” Orton added.
"I really take care of my body now..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 26, 2026
Earlier in my career I think I got lucky because I was horrible to my body..
I had a reality check and I really turned things around" ~ @RandyOrton #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/tWdMxHi1yZ
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