Randy Orton: Being a Bad Guy Is Just More Fun

Following Randy Orton's relatively lackluster 2012 that saw him win no major championships and put his career at risk with a second drug testing violation, "The Viper" returned to form in 2013 with multiple title reigns and becoming the "Face of WWE." 

The latest issue of WWE Magazine features the 2013 WWE Magazine Awards and Orton was voted by fans as "Best Return To Form." This is being attributed to Orton showcasing his "remorseless, sadistic side," which he enjoys. 

"Being a bad guy is just more fun," remarked Orton. "Otherwise you worry too much about what the fans think of you. It's a worry I don't like to have. I'd rather be myself and explore different ways I can make people feel uneasy even just by walking by and glaring at them."

NXT talent Corey Graves Appearing at the Rumble?

NXT talent Corey Graves teased appearing at The Royal Rumble pay-per-view next month. He wrote the following on Twitter: 

"The #RoyalRumble is next month in Pittsburgh. I haven't been home in years...hmmm. #IronCityHardCore #StayDown" 

WWE Top 5 Matches of 2013

WWE's website has released their top 25 matches of 2013. The top 5 looks like this: 

No.5. Daniel Bryan vs. Antonio Cesaro 
Raw, July 22

  
No.4. Cody Rhodes & Goldust (w/Dusty Rhodes) vs. Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns (w/Dean Ambrose) 
WWE Battleground

No.3. The Undertaker vs. CM Punk 
WrestleMania 29

No.2. John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan - WWE Championship Match 
SummerSlam 2013

No.1. CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar - No Disqualification Match 
SummerSlam 2013

Steve Austin says Chris Benoit will never be in WWE's Hall of Fame

During a recent podcast, Steve Austin was asked his thoughts on Chris Benoit going into the WWE Hall of Fame. Austin replied: 

"Well first and foremost, what I think about Chris Benoit is that guy was one of the most nicest guys I ever met in my life. He's one of the most talented, hard working cats I'd ever seen in the squared circle. Anybody who knew Chris would tell you those exact two things. That guy loved the damn wrestling business, he was born to be a wrestler and was absolutely phenomenal. Drawing a lot of his influence from The Dynamite Kid, he blazed a path as the Pegasus Kid and his legacy as The Crippler Chris Benoit was just one hellacious career." 

"One night, Chris ended up killing his wife and his kid. That is an act so terrible and horrible I can't even comprehend or guess as to what happened in that house. That will always overshadow any accomplishment Chris had in the ring. He'll never be in the Hall of Fame, it will just never happen. His career will speak for itself but his record as a human being, his first and foremost, and those actions will never be forgotten. That's my feelings on that, we don't even need to talk about the Hall of Fame. Speaking for myself, Chris Benoit as the person I knew, loved him. Chris Benoit as a wrestler, loved him. Chris Benoit as the person who did what he did, unforgivable. Bottom line." 

Jim Ross Blog

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated the Q&A section on jrsbarbq.com this week. Here are some of the questions he answered. 

When Chris Jericho first debuted with his promo at The Rocks expense, how electrifying was the atmosphere? 

It was massive. Set up perfectly. Excellent booking. 

Which of the 3 members of The Shield do you think will make the most impact in WWE? 

I like them all. Obviously Reigns is breaking out. All tbd. 

JR when do you think it is the right time for WWE to induct The Rock in the WWE Hall of Fame?

Any time both parties are ready. 

With talk of the WWE Network seeming to come up more and more, I have wondered if there is potential for certain independent promotions to get television deals with WWE. What, in your estimation, would be the positives and negatives of giving promotions like ROH, PWG, DragongateUSA, etc. a television deal?

Let's just say that there's no business like show business.

He was asked about the possibility of Daniel Bryan vs. CM Punk for the WWE World Heavyweight Title main eventing WrestleMania XXX. 

Ross replied: 

"On the surface, yes, but it's all about the presentation and the reason for them wrestling. It's unlikely to occur but I have no idea of the WM30 card." 

Ross was also asked about people saying Seth Rollins won't receive a push once The Shield splits.

He replied: 
"It doesn't concern me what "many people" say regarding Seth Rollins. He's a great talent who will have a significant run on his own when the time is right." 

DEAN AMBROSE TALKS ABOUT WORKING WITH THE UNDERTAKER

Earlier this week, The Shield appeared on the Onnit podcast. Here are some highlights that Dean Ambrose talked about:

Getting Called Up To The Main Roster: 

“By the time we actually got through sitting in Tampa for a while, we had all been down there for a long time… but by the time we were at like, we’re at Wrestlemania, we’re on the main stage, we’re doing our thing, because we got thrown right into the fire really quickly. We had a good little act with three rookies, and they just threw us right out there with the main eventers. We were working with John Cena, Randy Orton, Big Show.”

Working with Undertaker: 

“We were working with Undertaker in a six man tag in London. The most legendary, most intimidating figure in the history of the business, wrestles once, maybe twice per year. Usually once a year, he did an extra match that year, working with us in the six man tag.

“We had double-shotted [worked two shows] that day and did a show in Cardiff, Wales earlier in the day and they helicoptered us in to do the other show, which was a live RAW. We got there pretty much right as our music was playing, and pretty much had to go right up and right down into the crowd and right into the ring, which was nothing, nothing really worked out or anything.Someone proofread this. We were in there with Undertaker who, again, is one of the most legendary, intimidating guys in the business, but at this point we’re like the World Series guy, screw it, let’s just go out and do it.

“So we just went out there and did it. We were like, that was cool. It was like we’re at Wrestlemania, we’re on the main stage, we’re in the WWE. Hell yeah we are. This is where we belong. It doesn’t feel like whoa, this is such an accomplishment. It’s just like, no, it feels right. This is where we’re supposed to be.”

Stone Cold Stunner Ranked Best Finishing Move

WWE's latest poll asks fans which of these if the most fantastic finishing move ???

- Brock Lesnar's F5
- Steve Austin's Stunner
- The Undertaker Kane's Tombstone
- Randy Orton's RKO
- Triple H's Pedigree
- Shawn Michaels' Sweet Chin Music
- Edge & Rhyno & Goldberg's Spear
- The Dudley's 3D
- Jake Roberts' DDT
- Bret Hart's Sharpshooter

With over 109,000 votes cast, Austin's Stunner is leading with 27% whereas the next closest is the Tombstone with 18% of the vote.