Jim Ross Reveals Vince McMahon Originally Didn't Want To Sign Randy Orton To WWE

During a live Grilling JR podcast show in Jacksonville, Jim Ross has revealed that Vince McMahon didn't originally want to sign 13-time world champion, one-time Intercontinental Champion, one-time United States Champion, two-time Tag Team Champion, two-time Royal Rumble winner, a former Mr Money In The Bank, the 17th Triple Crown champion, 10th Grand Slam Champion, AND THE WINNER OF THE 2014 SLAMMY AWARD FOR HASHTAG OF THE YEAR (#RKOOuttaNowhere), Randy Orton, to a WWE contract due to the dishonourable discharge from the military The Viper had on his CV at the time.

Let's allow Jim himself to explain why: "McMahon is that patriotic. I’m not saying it’s the right thing to do, we did it cause I talked him into it. ‘We gotta give him a chance. Everybody deserves a chance, Vince.’

"He said it all the time. ‘Let’s give this kid a chance.’ Cause he’s getting one chance now, right? One chance. If it don’t work, he’s done with us. For f’n ever. There’ll be no more recalls and there will be no more call backs; we’re done. But he deserves a chance.’"

Thanks to Dominic DeAngelo of WrestleZone for the transcription.