NXT has come a long way since its inception, and in recent years fans have seen a number of NXT talents get called up to the WWE main roster. A main roster call-up means talents get the chance to work with big name talents like Randy Orton, but Orton didn’t exactly having glowing reviews for some of the NXT stars during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.
During the interview Orton talked Edge’s old school mentality, and he explained why it’s easier for him to work with a guy like Edge over some of the up and coming stars from NXT.
“[Edge] helped turn it around for me because he had that old school mentality, and he knew how to work. And he wasn’t taught that when the red light’s on, cream the shit out of the guy. Because there’s an art to what we do, and a lot of guys have lost that art. And now instead of selling a punch, because you need to sell a punch, now I’m protecting myself ‘cause I don’t want to get my fucking jaw broken…when Vince [McMahon] was on he talked about your number one priority, above all, being protecting your opponent. That’s not taught necessarily in NXT. And I know that because I’ve been in the ring with guys that came from NXT, and they don’t know what the fuck they’re doing. And it’s unfortunate.”
“…I can trust [Edge]. I can give this guy my body in this ring and tell this story. And I don’t have to, in the back of my head, worry about him only being concerned with looking cool in that ring and hitting the fuck out of me and taking my head off. Because he knows…I know how to work. And when he hits me, I’m gonna sell. I’m gonna react and I’m gonna make it bigger. He doesn’t have to hurt me.”
“Longevity-wise, there’s a reason why I’ve been doing it for 20 years and I’ll do it for another 10…they’re not gonna be able to because they’re gonna be all fucked up. And so I’m trying to preach that longevity.”
Randy Orton will team with Riddle this weekend at WrestleMania 38 when RK-Bro defend the Raw Tag Team Titles against American Alpha and The Street Profits. Stay tuned for more updates as they become available.
H/T Cageside Seats
