April 19, 2006 Observer Newsletter: Randy Orton, UFC Ultimate Fight Night recap, more
The suspension of Randy Orton, which went into effect on 4/12, for a 60 day minimum, has become the most trying personnel issue for WWE management.
Orton, who just turned 26 last week, was the youngest world champion in company history when he beat Chris Benoit at the age of 24 at the 2004 SummerSlam. He has been a discipline problem for some time, but his erratic behavior has really gotten out of control since the start of this year, and is the only reason he’s not champion right now.
There is no singular reason why he was suspended. He has been routinely fined, and has joked about it, for a few years, in many cases as much as $5,000 a pop,. The fines have been largely for his treatment of women both in and out of the company, and for overall rude, abusive language to people who didn’t deserve that treatment, and antisocial behavior.
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Dave Meltzer is the founder and lead writer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the weekly constant when it comes to news and reviews in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts for more than 40 years. Dave also co-hosts Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and had had bylines for The National, Yahoo Sports, MMA Fighting and others.