The latest superstar release from World Wrestling Entertainment spotlights Randy Orton, the one-time Legend Killer. Its biggest highlight is the 90-minute documentary that recounts his Road to WrestleMania XXVII as well as provides intimate stories of Orton’s troubled past, from when he was in the USMC to his substance abuses problems from several years ago.
Coming from someone who never liked Orton, I came away with a newfound respect for the man known as The Viper. The personal growth he has gone through since his debut in 2002, it’s hard to not want to root for the guy.
With The Evolution of a Predator being Orton’s first DVD, WWE made the decision to produce a documentary and include bonus matches, as opposed to issue a three-disc set with wall-to-wall matches and a talking head chiming in after every other match. As such, the sports-entertainment giant has outdone itself by producing one of its best superstar docs.
Making his official debut in the wrestling promotion in April 2002, Orton has spent nearly a decade trying to forge his identity. From being booed and reviled as the Legend Killer, taking out wrestling legends with his devastating RKO finisher and punts to the head, to being cheered as The Viper, Orton has transitioned nicely to being a babyface character and is probably second to John Cena as a media and fan friendly ambassador to World Wrestling Entertainment.
Taking the man at his word, Orton comes across as very candid and forthcoming in his interviews. He owns up to his mistakes and it is nice to see such a cathartic release knowing all the wrestler deaths that have occurred because of drug dependency issues. He had hit a wall as an in-ring competitor because he couldn’t handle his success early on. Orton was pushed too hard, too fast. As a member of Evolution he was instantly propelled to the upper card alongside Batista, Triple H and Ric Flair. Flair and Triple H had his ear and were on good terms, but then you have John Cena who used to think Orton was a dick. Vintage clips of Orton at autograph sessions acknowledge this much.
Kicking his drug habit and the birth of his baby girl have helped Orton turn a corner both personally and professionally, and that bad reputation he earned early in his career seems like a distant memory now. That is the overriding theme of the documentary. The Evolution of a Predator is just that. It’s not only about Randy Orton’s change as a wrestling personality, but as a person.
The documentary starts out at this year’s Elimination Chamber show, 42 days away from WrestleMania XXVII. As the days tick away we follow Orton on the road and his brief stop at home all the way through his one-on-one encounter with CM Punk. Though the timing of the documentary seems wrong. It is about Orton’s Road to WrestleMania, but considering that his match wasn’t for anything substantial like a World Championship, it would have been wise to push it to Orton winning his second World Heavy Championship (and his first since 2004) a month later on SmackDown!
Weighing in with their own two cents about The Viper are Triple H, John Cena, Orton’s father, Cowboy Bob Orton, and Arn Anderson. When the Legacy faction is discussed, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase chime in. Stock sound bites from Ric Flair and Batista are also sprinkled in. Of all the personalities that talk about Orton, Anderson and Triple H’s comments offer the most in terms of wrestler-to-wrestler insight.
For the best look at Orton as a person, watch him at home as “the complete teddy bear†to his daughter Alanna. His wife, Samantha, gets teary-eyed at her decision to stay with him through his problems with drugs. “I would have felt guilty leaving in that situation. I was more afraid that something would happen to him.†This is the heavy portion of the documentary, where Orton recounts his drug overdose with sleeping pills and his self-destructive behavior. But everything changes with the birth of his daughter. As John Cena says, “I always joke around. There’s Old Randy, and there’s new Randy. Old Randy was an asshole…New Randy is a really, really cool guy…a really good friend of mine.â€
Outside of his dark days as a WWE competitor, we get a detailed account of his background prior to stepping into the squared circle. This includes clips of Orton wrestling in high school, and a lengthy account of when he went AWOL while enlisted in the Marines.
Now firmly established in the main event Orton has become quite the media darling. Where before he was self-centered wanting to know for how long he had to sign autographs, he appears to enjoy (or make a good-hearted effort) making appearances and interacting with as many fans as time allows despite all the traveling he does.
He’s great with his fans, a standup family man, and is able to command an audience as The Viper. This documentary tells a great story about a man struggling with redemption and how family is a powerful driving force to recovery. Overall, I’d go as far as to say that this one of the top-tier documentaries that World Wrestling Entertainment has ever produced. It will definitely make you see Randy Orton in a different light.
Taking a look at the packaging, the three discs that comprise the Evolution of a Predator set are housed in a cardboard package with gateway foldout. For this superstar release WWE has printed the contents on the inside flap adjacent to the first disc. This includes the twenty-seven chapter titles that comprise the 90-minute documentary on the first disc, plus the sixteen matches that are spread across the second and third discs.
The release has a 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen presentation that is pretty decent. Controlled environments, like the on-camera interviews, are very well lit and any backstage footage with Randy Orton is good. Material that was originally shot full frame is presented as is, but with mattes on the sides.
In terms of audio, just like the video the older footage is not as good as stuff produced now. The stereo track is easily discernable for listeners. Again, WWE has decided to not include subtitles, closed captioning, or alternate language options.
Randy Orton vs. Slick Robbie D
OVW Christmas Chaos – January 31, 2001
Randy Orton vs. Hardcore Holly
SmackDown – April 25, 2002
Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels
Unforgiven – September 21, 2003
Intercontinental Championship Match
Randy Orton vs. Rob Van Dam
Armageddon – December 14, 2003
Handicap Tag Team Match
Randy Orton, Ric Flair & Batista vs. The Rock & Mick Foley
WrestleMania XX – March 14, 2004
No Holds Barred Falls Count Anywhere Match for the Intercontinental Championship
Randy Orton vs. Mick Foley
Backlash – April 18, 2004
Intercontinental Championship Match
Randy Orton vs. Edge
Vengeance – July 11, 2004
Handicap Casket Match
Randy Orton & “Cowboy†Bob Orton vs. Undertaker
No Mercy – October 9, 2005
Disc 3 – More Bonus Matches (166 minutes)
Randy Orton vs. Kurt Angle
Vengeance – June 25, 2006
Legend Killer vs. Legend
Randy Orton vs. Hulk Hogan
SummerSlam – August 20, 2006
Texas Bull Rope Match
Randy Orton vs. Dusty Rhodes
The Great American Bash – July 22, 2007
Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship
Randy Orton vs. Triple H vs. John Cena
WrestleMania XXIV –March 30, 2008
“I Quit†Match for the WWE Championship
Randy Orton vs. John Cena
Breaking Point – September 13, 2009
Hell in a Cell Match for the WWE Championship
Randy Orton vs. Sheamus
Hell in a Cell – October 3, 2010
Randy Orton vs. CM Punk
WrestleMania XXVII – April 3, 2011
World Heavyweight Championship Match
Randy Orton vs. Christian
SmackDown – May 6, 2011
Though this selection of matches is sure to appeal to Orton’s devoted fans, one can’t helped but be a little disappointed, especially if you want to see his first World Heavyweight Championship victory at SummerSlam 2004. This is a minor issue, but considering its historical significance in Orton’s career it does leave a hole. Also, instead of his heinous “Texas Bullrope†match against Dusty Rhodes, WWE could have substituted it with one of his tag matches with Edge, when they paired together as Rated RKO. But since this team isn’t mentioned in the documentary that may explain why we don’t get to see Rated RKO square off with Degeneration X.
Until we get the release of the ultimate Stone Cold Steve Austin set in late November, Randy Orton: The Evolution of a Predator will remain the best superstar DVD release of 2011. Randy Orton is a wrestler that I don’t particularly like, and even I couldn’t help but have a newfound respect for the man. It would seem that the best WWE-produced docs are those where the sports-entertainer has overcome personal issues and bettered his career (think Eddie Guerrero’s Cheating Death, Stealing Life). Throw in sixteen bonus matches, including his vicious No Holds Barred encounter with Mick Foley, and you have a solid package. If you are a Randy Orton fan this is an automatic buy. Those who don’t like Randy Orton’s style of wrestling still check out the documentary when you have the chance.
WWE Home Video presents Randy Orton: The Evolution of a Predator. Featuring: Randy Orton, Samantha Orton, John Cena, Triple H, Arn Anderson, Cody Rhodes, and Ted DiBiase. Running Time: 7 Hours (box art advertises 9 hour run time). Rating: TV-PG. Released on DVD: September 6, 2011. Available at Amazon.com.
