There is no doubt that the RKO by Randy Orton is among the sublime finishers that WWE fans love replicating. The internet is filled with fans performing the move on their friends in a safe environment. However, some take it to the extreme in hopes of getting online clout. Performing WWE moves without the knowledge or consent of the other person can be considered assault. So, what does The Viper himself have to say about one miscreant who went viral by using Orton’s finisher for attention in a harmful manner?

Randy Orton explains the legal consequence of performing the RKO

Randy Orton’s RKO has cemented itself as one of the most beloved and iconic moves in professional wrestling history. The staple in Orton’s arsenal of moves, fans always pop when it comes out of nowhere. Furthermore, the move has transcended the boundaries of wrestling. It has achieved viral fame through countless internet memes and parodies. However, here comes the issue with the RKO. Recently, Orton was tagged in a video on X. The video was of a man went around hitting unsuspecting people with the RKO. Upon seeing the video, The Viper replied, “Bring the punt kick back and give him a good ol case of CTE ya later plus 5 years in prison for assault.”

All the victims in the video did not know what was going on, and some were even handicapped. Apart from the man performing it and the one filming, none of the people were in on it.

The ‘Punt kick’ was another famous finisher Orton used to perform, but the promotion restricted its use due to the harmful nature of the move.

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Randy Orton even touched upon the legal ramifications of assaulting people in public with that move. If sued, the man in the video could be looking at a minimum of five years in prison. Nevertheless, the online world is filled with videos of people hitting the RKO on one another, although those don’t carry an air of malicious intent such as this one.

Orton and fans replicating his moves in real life

While the RKO is one of the most devastating moves in pro wrestling, in real life, if executed properly and with precaution, it is safe. However, the same cannot be said about his infamous ‘Punt Kick.’ The move involving a swift knee to the temple of downed wrestlers was slowly phased out due to the fear that kids may perform the move.

This would not be the first time a wrestler’s finisher has been removed due to real-life ramifications. Seth Rollins‘ famous ‘Curb Stomp’ was discontinued for a while as kids were trying to perform the face-smashing finisher. Fans often forget that while being scripted, the WWE takes safety precautions to ensure their wrestlers do not suffer any harm. Early call-outs, preparedness, and padded mats do not exist in the real world with unsuspecting victims. What do you think about Orton’s words in the video? Tell us in the comments.

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