Jim Ross has claimed that Randy Orton will be joining him in the WWE Hall of Fame when all is said and done.
Speaking on a recent episode of his Grilling JR podcast, available via Ad Free Shows, Ross said that Orton will be remembered as “one of the greatest.”
It was of course Jim Ross who signed Orton to his first WWE deal in 2001. During the early years of the new millennium JR was tasked with recruiting a new raft of potential Superstars to eventually take the place of stars such as The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin. The result was an Ohio Valley Wrestling (WWE’s main developmental territory at the time) roster which boasted John Cena, Brock Lesnar, Shelton Benjamin and of course Randy Orton.
Reflecting on Orton’s career to date, Ross said there is “no doubt” that Orton will be a Hall of Famer.
“He’s gonna end his career as one of the greatest,” Ross said. “He’ll be a Hall of Famer, no doubt. He’s also gonna be regarded by his peers as one of the greatest in-ring workers that they ever worked with of this generation, so it [hiring Orton] worked out well.”
However, despite the success that followed, Ross also revealed that Orton was a “hard sell” to Vince McMahon after he left the Marines not on the greatest terms. JR said that McMahon was less than impressed with how Orton left the military, but was eventually convinced to give him a second chance.
Despite being in the industry for two decades, The Viper is currently producing arguably the best work of his career. Orton currently stands as one half of the RAW Tag Team Champions alongside Riddle, while he also has his eyes set on WWE Championship glory.
H/t to Sportskeeda for the transcription.