Randy Orton originally had no interest in working with Drew McIntyre

In 2020, Randy Orton enjoyed something of a slight career resurgence, particularly when it came to his promos. While he wasn’t wrestler of the year or anything, Orton’s uptick in character work –which started with his feud against Edge — combined with his usual steady workrate made him a highlight of the pandemic shows.

Aside from Edge, Orton’s most prominent feud last year was with Drew McIntyre over the WWE Championship. The two battled over the company’s most treasured prize throughout the late summer and fall, though the program lasted far longer than it needed to (a consequence of WWE not building up other top heels for McIntyre to face).

Given the months the McIntyre/Orton feud lasted, it’s surprising to hear Orton’s initial thoughts on working with “The Scottish Psychopath”.

At first, Randy Orton had no interest in working a feud with Drew McIntyre.

Appearing on The Broken Skull Sessions with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Orton discussed his reservations when it came to working with McIntyre and how he grew to enjoy the experience as the program progressed (h/t to Fightful’s Jeremy Lambert for the transcription):

"“Originally, I had no interest being in there with him. We got closer and closer and he grew on me. We had three or four pay-per-view matches and I slowly learned more about this guy. I watched [Austin’s interview with Drew] and I felt that. I’ve gotten to know him to the point where I know he has a good heart and I know he loves this business and this business has given everything to me and I know he feels the same way. Here we are, let’s do what we can to elevate each other and make what we love as great as we can. For me to be a threat to you, that helps me, but now you have a hole to dig out of and overcome. Now, he’s got me on my heels. We eventually got there, but it took a couple of months to get there. He’s good in my book.”"

Orton and McIntyre first wrestled at SummerSlam 2020, with McIntyre countering Orton’s RKO into a leverage pin to retain the WWE Title. The two would square off a month later at Clash of Champions in an Ambulance match, though that encounter centered more around the legends Orton beat up earlier in the year getting their revenge on “The Legend Killer” (McIntyre retained the title again).

In their third and final PPV match at Hell in a Cell in the show’s eponymous match, Orton finally beat McIntyre to win the title. Orton held the belt for 22 days before losing it back to McIntyre on the November 16, 2020 episode of Raw. Their last singles match occurred as part of a Gauntlet Match on the February 8, 2021 episode of Raw, with McIntyre winning by countout.

Orton is currently feuding with “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt while McIntyre is busy with current WWE Champion Bobby Lashley. Both of those feuds will culminate at WrestleMania 37.

You can watch the full Broken Skull Sessions with Orton on Peacock.