Randy Orton Wasn't Ready To Be World Heavyweight Champion At WWE SummerSlam 2004

Randy Orton made history at WWE SummerSlam 2004 when he defeated Chris Benoit in the show's main event, becoming the youngest World Heavyweight Champion at the age of 24.

It was a great night in the Legend Killer's career. Looking back, however, Orton admits he wasn't ready for the responsibility that came with being one of the faces of the company at the time. 

Reflecting on the title win during his recent A&E biography documentary, the 43-year-old said:

"It's hard to describe the feeling of the responsibility, the amount of awesomeness that comes with holding that belt. I had the title but I didn't have the maturity. I definitely was not ready. I'm really just sitting on top of the world. I'm making a lot of money for someone my age and I'm living the dream. And I am a cock son of a bitch". 

Despite the historic win, WWE management also deemed that Orton was not yet ready for the belt and he dropped it to Triple H just a month later (at Unforgiven). 

The Viper has since become a 14-time world champion. His most recent reign was as WWE Champion in late 2020. 

Last month, Orton noted that he wanted to face perennial rival John Cena in a major title match at WrestleMania. 

H/T SEScoops