July 2025 – WWE Legend Reflects on Career-Defining Clash with Mick Foley

WWE icon Randy Orton has revealed which match he believes earned him the respect of fans and solidified his place in professional wrestling history.

Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, guest-hosted by country-rap star Jelly Roll, the 14-time world champion was asked to pick a favorite match from his storied career. Orton, now a veteran of over two decades in WWE, singled out a brutal encounter from early in his career: his hardcore match against Mick Foley at Backlash 2004.

“I’ve been asked that before and that’s a very hard question because I’ve had a lot of matches I consider up there as my favorite,” Orton said. “But when I was 24 years old, I wrestled Mick Foley at Backlash in a hardcore match… That match probably was the most important one in my career, I think, because the fans saw me put my body through something they had never seen me do before.”

A Turning Point in The Legend Killer’s Rise

The match in question saw Randy Orton, then known as “The Legend Killer,” defend his Intercontinental Championship against Foley, who competed under his infamous Cactus Jack persona. With his Evolution stablemates banned from ringside, Orton was forced to go it alone in a match that was as violent as it was pivotal.

“It was a very physical match. Lots of blood, lots of sweat, some tears. But I think I earned the fans’ respect that night,” Orton added. “From then on, I could tell something was different in the air when I would walk through that curtain.”

The match featured several unforgettable moments, including Orton being slammed back-first into a pile of thumbtacks—a shocking moment that left fans and critics stunned at his willingness to go the distance. The bout concluded with Orton delivering a vicious RKO to Foley onto a barbed wire baseball bat, securing the victory and, more importantly, proving his mettle to the WWE Universe.

The Most Rewarding Part of Wrestling

During the candid conversation, Orton also reflected on the emotional and personal payoff of wrestling—not just the titles and accolades, but the connection with the audience.

His performance at Backlash 2004 marked a significant transformation—from a brash young heel in Evolution to a competitor fans began to take seriously. It was a match that symbolized pain, sacrifice, and above all, respect.

As Orton continues his Hall of Fame-worthy career, that clash with Mick Foley remains a defining moment—not just for him, but for a generation of wrestling fans who saw a legend emerge through blood and barbed wire.