Randy Orton has proven on several occasions that RKO is one of the three most hazardous letters in the sports world. Orton popularized the technique to the point that everyone expects to see an RKO out of nowhere. But do you know how the former 14-time World Champion came up with the technique during his early days as a wrestler?

Randy Orton was a youngster at the time, learning everything there was to know about professional wrestling. While deciding on his finishing move, Orton was training at the WWE Performance Center, where he was inspired by other wrestlers. The Viper then attempted to employ a diamond cutter but with a variant suggested by James Harrison. Typically, the Diamond Cutter is a technique delivered to a person by just gripping their neck and falling to the ground.

Randy Orton injected more momentum into this, making the technique appear to work well. This maneuver was once known as TKO, which stands for Total Knock Out, but The Viper modified it to RKO. Reports suggest that this name is identical to the wrestler’s original name, with the added twist that these three letters were Orton’s name initials: Randel Kieth Orton. Following this, the move gained popularity among fans because of its devastating nature. The move also gained mainstream appeal due to its memeability due to its unpredictability.

In fact, Orton utilizing the technique to an unaware adversary has now become a staple of WWE programming. Many wrestling fans have long wondered how the wrestler generated the aura of the maneuver, so let’s look into that as well.

How did Randy Orton build such a dominant aura around the RKO?

We all know the importance of a good finisher for a pro wrestler. For Randy Orton, he used his signature to become a fourteen-time World Champion and one of the greatest of all time. Furthermore, the presence of RKO rose as Orton used the move anywhere he saw a chance. The mid-air RKO, Spear transformed into an RKO, Stomp turned into an RKO, and so on are just a few examples of how well the technique has evolved under The Viper over the years.

Not only that, but Orton has always appreciated wrestlers who take the move, as it is generally their idea to employ it in this fashion. Furthermore, the WWE Universe has always taken the former WWE champion far more seriously because of his in-ring ability that combines with his smooth finisher. This is why it is not surprising that RKO has such a powerful aura. Once the move has been executed in a match it more likely than not signals the end of the bout with Orton standing tall.

What are your thoughts on the move? Do you enjoy it when The Viper hits the RKO out of nowhere? Tell us in the comments.