On a recent episode of his “Grilling JR” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross discussed the hardcore match between Randy Orton and Mick Foley at Backlash 2004.
According to Ross, the brutal matchup springboarded Orton’s career in WWE.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On Randy Orton vs. Foley at Backlash: “I equate it to the perception that many of us had regarding Shawn Michaels with his performance in Hell in the Cell against the Undertaker. it showed the tough side of Shawn. Physicality and resilience. And I think that’s the same thing we saw here with Randy. Randy was such a pretty face and a pretty body. He had never been put in this sort of environment, how is he going to react?
“And there’s a famous shot… off all the thumbtacks and Randy’s back. Man, he landed in the right spot, I guess. Because he was loaded, he was loaded with thumbtacks. And I can only imagine how that feels so, I’ll never know by the way. I’ll just take their word for it. But it was it was added to the moment, and Randy sold it famously without a doubt. But it proved to all the fans that Randy Orton is not only a great-looking athlete and all those nice things, those accolades. He showed his toughness as a former United States Marine.”
On Orton hitting an RKO and landing in thumbtacks: “Look at those thumbtacks, and where some of them have already been inserted and penetrated the epidermis, the outer layer of skin there on Randy. But there’s just no way you can make that tolerable. It hurts like hell; it’s gonna hurt like hell until you get them out of there and give some disinfectant on there, etc., etc. But that was a startling, startling camera shot.”
On whether he enjoyed calling the WrestleMania 20 triple threat or one at Backlash 2004 more: “Well, Backlash was a pleasant surprise. But it’s hard to not consider WrestleMania’s a triple threat match as my favorite. Because of the atmosphere, the largeness of the moment. It’s just special in that respect. But both of them were excellent. And the guys were able to change things up a little bit from WrestleMania to Backlash. They told the same story but in a different tone. Different tenor, shall we say. They changed the music a little bit; they told the same story. And I thought that was important. So when I think WrestleMania because of WrestleMania is my favorite of the two.”
Title: Randy Orton’s Hardcore Match Against Mick Foley at Backlash 2004 Propelled His WWE Career
Introduction
In a recent episode of the “Grilling JR” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross discussed the impact of the hardcore match between Randy Orton and Mick Foley at Backlash 2004. Ross highlighted how this brutal matchup played a pivotal role in springboarding Orton’s career in the WWE. The intense physicality and resilience displayed by Orton during the match showcased a different side of him, proving that he was not just a great-looking athlete but also a tough competitor.
The Match That Defined Randy Orton
Ross drew a parallel between Randy Orton’s performance in the hardcore match and Shawn Michaels’ iconic Hell in a Cell match against The Undertaker. He emphasized that just like Michaels, Orton’s portrayal of toughness and physicality in the match left a lasting impression on the fans. Orton, known for his good looks and physique, had never been tested in such an extreme environment before. However, the match against Foley demonstrated his ability to adapt and excel in any situation.
The Thumbtack Moment
One of the most memorable moments from the match was when Orton took a devastating bump onto a bed of thumbtacks. Ross described the image of thumbtacks penetrating Orton’s skin as a startling camera shot. He acknowledged the excruciating pain that Orton must have endured and commended him for selling the moment convincingly. This particular spot added to the overall impact of the match and solidified Orton’s reputation as a tough competitor.
Comparing WrestleMania 20 and Backlash 2004
When asked about his preference between calling the WrestleMania 20 triple threat match and the one at Backlash 2004, Ross expressed his fondness for both matches. He acknowledged that WrestleMania holds a special place due to its grandeur and atmosphere. However, he appreciated the uniqueness of the Backlash match, where the wrestlers were able to tell the same story but with a different tone. Ross believed that the ability to adapt and change the dynamics of the match showcased the versatility of Orton and Foley as performers.
Conclusion
The hardcore match between Randy Orton and Mick Foley at Backlash 2004 marked a turning point in Orton’s WWE career. It shattered the perception of him as just a pretty face and revealed his toughness and resilience as a former United States Marine. The match not only showcased Orton’s ability to excel in extreme environments but also highlighted his adaptability as a performer. With this match, Orton solidified his status as a top-tier WWE superstar and set the stage for his future success in the industry.