Randy Orton: 'Bray Wyatt is one of WWE's most creative minds'
Royal Rumble winner 'has clicked' with Wyatt Family man
Friday 3 February 2017 15:33, UK
Royal Rumble winner Randy Orton says he is having "a lot of fun" working with the "creative" Bray Wyatt on WWE Smackdown.
Orton became part of The Eater of Worlds' Wyatt Family faction in late 2016, with the two scooping the Smackdown Tag Team Titles at the Tables, Ladders and Chairs pay-pay-per-view in early December.
Orton - who lastly eliminated Roman Reigns to win the Royal Rumble Match on Sunday and seal a main-event match at WrestleMania 33 in April - and Wyatt have grown up in the wrestling business.
The Viper is the son of "Cowboy" Bob Orton and grandchild of Bob Orton, Sr, while Wyatt is the son of Mike Rotunda aka Irwin R. Schyster and grandson of the late Blackjack Mulligan.
"Bray is very talented and probably one of the most creative guys in the back," Orton told ESPN. "I'm learning from him when it comes to that aspect as his creativity levels are at an all-time high.
"It's cool to see his approach and hear him talk about the business. We are both third-generation wrestlers and I feel we naturally click.
"I am having a lot of fun at work."
Orton could face Wyatt at WrestleMania 33 if his stablemate wins the WWE Title from John Cena in the Elimination Chamber match on February 12.
Orton will compete at his 13th WrestleMania on April 2, having made his bow at the event in 2004 by teaming with then Evolution buddies Ric Flair and Batista to take on Mick Foley and The Rock.
The Apex Predator then went one-on-one with Foley at the next pay-per-view Backlash in a Hardcore Match featuring drawing pins and barbed wire.
"I became a man that night," said Orton. "I think I got a lot of respect from the fans after what I put my body through and what I put his body through.
"It's one of the top contenders for my favourite match - I was still green but Mick was gracious enough to go out there and have a match I will never forget and I don't think the fans will ever forget."
Orton, 36, is now a veteran of the WWE locker room and will be targeting winning a 13th world title - and first since 2014 - at WrestleMania.
New WWE talents come through the Triple H-masterminded NXT brand in Orlando, with Tye Dillinger and Samoa Joe making their mark on the main roster during Royal Rumble week.
Dillinger appeared as shock entrant in the Royal Rumble Match on Sunday, with Joe attacking Seth Rollins while debuting a night later on Raw.
Orton says the quality of wrestlers in NXT is keeping WWE's established Superstars on their toes.
"It pushes everyone on the main roster," Orton added of NXT, where trainers include Robbie Brookside, Steve Corino and Matt Bloom.
"There is so much talent, such a group of guys and girls who know what they are doing and are being taught by the best.
"Knowing they are coming up and they want to take your spot - that brings healthy competition and lights a fire under everyone."
Who will Orton face at WrestleMania 33? Find out by watching WWE Elimination Chamber, live on Sky Sports Box Office on Sunday, February 12 (see below for booking details).
WWE Elimination Chamber booking details
WWE Elimination Chamber will be shown on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 491) and Sky Sports HD Box Office (channel 492) at 1am, Sunday, February 12 (Monday morning).
WWE Elimination Chamber will repeated on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 491) BUT NOT Sky Sports HD Box Office (channel 492) between 10am on Monday, February 13 and 10pm on Thursday, February 16.
The pay-per-view will cost £14.95 for viewers in the United Kingdom and €21.95 for customers in the Republic of Ireland.
You can order the show online by visiting this link: https://my.sky.com/orderboxoffice/?DCMP=WWEEliminationChamber
You can also book the event over the phone: UK viewers should call 03442 410 888, while customers in the Republic of Ireland should call 0818 220 225. (There may be an additional charge for telephone bookings).
You can also order the show via your Sky remote nearer the event:
Sky+: Press the box office button on your remote, then click the sports tab followed by WWE Elimination Chamber.
Sky Q: Press Home on your Sky Q remote, select TV guide, then Box Office and then WWE Elimination Chamber. Enter your TV Pin if prompted. (Only bookings via Sky TV remote are recordable using Sky Plus).
Sky TV residential customers only. Commercial customers contact Sky for price and to order. Sky Box Office terms apply. Cable customers should contact their local cable operator.
