FEATURED SUPERSTAR
RANDY ORTON
Despite being decimated by Evolution one night after SummerSlam, Randy Orton's star has never been brighter. The 24-year-old third-generation Superstar became the youngest man to ever capture a WWE World Championship by beating Chris Benoit on August 15.

RANDY ORTON Height: 6 foot 4 Weight: 245 pounds Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri Finishing Move: RKO Career Highlights: Intercontinental Champion; World Heavyweight Champion

Randy Orton's arrival in WWE was seemingly inevitable. After all, he was practically raised in the business that both his father and grandfather excelled in. It's no wonder he has quickly ascended to the higher echelons of the RAW roster. In April 2002, he began his WWE career with an appearance on SmackDown! A few months into his rookie run, an unfortunate injury put him out of action. Refusing to sit idly on the sidelines, Orton continued making appearances on WWE television, going as far as attacking targeted Superstars with his crutches and giving fans constant updates on his medical progress �?whether they wanted them or not. Upon returning to active competition in May 2003, Orton was instantly recruited by Triple H to join with the legendary “Nature Boy�?Ric Flair, and the animal Batista as part of Evolution. Orton captured his first major championship on Dec. 14, 2003, defeating Rob Van Dam for the Intercontinental Championship at Armageddon. He held on to the championship for about seven months, defeating challengers such as Shelton Benjamin, Val Venis, Chris Jericho and Mick Foley. Priding himself as “The Legend Killer,’�?Orton has decisions over the likes of Sgt. Slaughter, Shawn Michaels, and Chris Jericho. Orton also displays no fear and no respect when confronting legends such as Harley Race, asserting his claim that he is a true legend of sports entertainment. At WrestleMania XX, Orton teamed with Flair and Batista to take on the reunited Rock ‘n�?Sock Connection (The Rock and Mick Foley). Orton delivered the RKO to Foley, enabling his team to emerge victorious. At the Backlash pay-per-view, Orton added Foley to his list of legends he has defeated, pinning Mick in a Hardcore Rules Match. At the tender age of 24, Orton became the youngest man to ever capture a World Championship in WWE when he defeated Chris Benoit for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam 2004. Orton was so impressive during this match that even his opponent, Benoit, congratulated him after his victory. Evolution, however, did not. The absence of Orton's faction mates may have been a precursor to what was about to come, as on the following night's RAW, Triple H, Batista and Ric Flair turned their back on Orton, leaving him a bloody mess in the middle of the ring. Love & Peace, BearyBear77