Though he’s one of Orton’s most bitter rivals, John Cena took to social media to celebrate Randy Orton 20 years after his WWE debut.
After signing a deal with WWE in 2001 and spending time training at its developmental territory OVW, Randy Orton made his WWE television debut on the April 25th, 2002 episode of SmackDown, where he defeated Hardcore Holly.
Arguably one of Orton’s greatest rivals throughout his career is John Cena, who would go on to make his own WWE debut two months later. Though the two have been involved in some bitter feuds throughout the years, Cena took to social media to celebrate Orton’s 20 years in WWE.
“For 20 years @RandyOrton has cemented his legacy as 1 of the greatest @WWE Superstars ever. I have the utmost respect for every achievement he’s earned & CONTINUES to earn. But my genuine love & admiration for him is in his maturity & growth as a human being. Here’s to RKO!”
For 20 years @RandyOrton has cemented his legacy as 1 of the greatest @WWE Superstars ever. I have the utmost respect for every achievement he’s earned & CONTINUES to earn. But my genuine love & admiration for him is in his maturity & growth as a human being. Here’s to RKO! 🥃
— John Cena (@JohnCena) April 21, 2022
20 years later, Randy Orton is a current Raw Tag Team Champion alongside his partner Riddle. Performing as RK-Bro, the two earned their second Raw Tag Team Championship reign when they defeated Alpha Academy on the March 7th episode of Monday Night Raw.
The pair is now set to face SmackDown Tag Team Champions the Usos at WrestleMania Backlash after the Usos issued a challenge to unify the Raw and SmackDown Tag Team Titles.