Randy Orton was honored to become WWE World Heavyweight Champion at SummerSlam 2004, despite feeling totally unprepared for the responsibility.
In the main event of the event from Toronto, Canada, Orton dethroned Chris Benoit, who had won the title at WrestleMania 20. The win marked Orton’s first of 14 World Championship wins in WWE. At 24 years old, Orton also became the youngest WWE World Champions in history when he captured the title.
Orton On His First World Title Win
Winning a World Championship was a feat for Orton that neither his father nor grand father could lay claim to. In a video previewing his upcoming A&E Biography: Legend documentary, Orton spoke about how it felt to win the title and being able to speak with his family after the match.
“This was the culmination of all this hard work. I knew my father and my grandfather would be watching me, proud of me. I believe Stephanie McMahon gave me her cell phone. She was like ‘Call your dad. Call your grandpa. Talk to them.’ And I’m so glad that she did.
My grandpa, he was only around for a few years after so just hearing his voice, hearing how proud he was of me, you know, that’s a conversation I will never forget.
“Same with my father, I called him next. I’d never heard my old man get choked up. Like, he’s old school to the bone. But he was choked up on the phone that night. So it was a special night.”
Orton’s father, Cowboy Bob Orton, was also interviewed for the documentary and recalled his father’s reaction to his grandson’s huge victory.
“Dad was just beaming. To come up that fast and to learn so much in such a short period of time, [I was] so proud.”
Not Ready to Be Champion
With little more than two years on the main roster, Orton’s thrust to the World Heavyweight Championship picture was rapid, to say the least. In the interview, the Legend Killer recalled the pressure and not being ready to be the top star.
It’s hard to describe the feeling of the responsibility, the amount of awesomeness that comes with holding that belt. I had the title but I didn’t have the maturity. I definitely was not ready. I’m really just sitting on top of the world. I’m making a lot of money for someone my age and I’m living the dream. And I am a cocky son of a b**ch.”
What Came Next?
After retaining the title the next night on Raw against Benoit, Orton was betrayed by Evolution as Triple H wanted to be World Heavyweight Champion again. This led to Orton turning face but he would lose the title to the Game the following month at Unforgiven 2004.
For the use of quotes please give an H/T to SE Scoops.
