Evolution
Evolution was a villainous professional wrestling stable on WWE's Raw brand between 2003 and 2005. At the height of its existence, the group consisted of Triple H, Ric Flair, Randy Orton and Batista. Each of the members represented the best in "the past" (Ric Flair), "the present" (Triple H), and "the future" (Randy Orton and Batista) of professional wrestling.
Evolution slowly began dissolving in 2004. The group turned on Orton the night following SummerSlam, when he won the World Heavyweight Championship and kicked him out. After winning the Royal Rumble in 2005 and teasing that he would chase the WWE Championship, Batista turned on Triple H and decided to pursue the World Heavyweight Championship himself. Although Batista's departure was largely the end for the group, the final break up came when Triple H turned on and attacked Flair.
Evolution slowly began dissolving in 2004. The group turned on Orton the night following SummerSlam, when he won the World Heavyweight Championship and kicked him out. After winning the Royal Rumble in 2005 and teasing that he would chase the WWE Championship, Batista turned on Triple H and decided to pursue the World Heavyweight Championship himself. Although Batista's departure was largely the end for the group, the final break up came when Triple H turned on and attacked Flair.
History
Formation (2002–2003)
At Unforgiven in 2002, Triple H defended the World Heavyweight Championship against Rob Van Dam. During the match Ric Flair came down to the ring and grabbed the sledgehammer from Triple H and teased hitting Triple H before hitting Van Dam, allowing Triple H to get the win. From that point on, Flair accompanied Triple H to the ring as his manager. Shortly after, Batista moved from SmackDown! to Raw and Flair also began accompanying him to the ring while continuing to second Triple H. On January 20, 2003, Randy Orton joined Triple H, Flair, and Batista in attacking Scott Steiner to complete the group (though the Evolution name would not be given until two weeks later).
Evolution got off to a rocky start, as both Batista and Orton were both injured during a house show match with the Dudley Boyz in February 2003. On the May 26 episode of Raw, Orton returned as a masked man who attacked both Shawn Michaels and Kevin Nash after a 2-on-1 handicap match with Michaels and Flair (who eventually turned on Michaels during the match) taking on Triple H. He then unmasked himself and rejoined the group. Batista, however, missed most of the next eight months after tearing and then retearing his right triceps.
Evolution got off to a rocky start, as both Batista and Orton were both injured during a house show match with the Dudley Boyz in February 2003. On the May 26 episode of Raw, Orton returned as a masked man who attacked both Shawn Michaels and Kevin Nash after a 2-on-1 handicap match with Michaels and Flair (who eventually turned on Michaels during the match) taking on Triple H. He then unmasked himself and rejoined the group. Batista, however, missed most of the next eight months after tearing and then retearing his right triceps.
Dominance (2003-2005)
In 2003, at Bad Blood, Flair was able to defeat Shawn Michaels after Orton struck Michaels with a chair. Later that night, Triple H retained his World Heavyweight Championship in a Hell in a Cell match against Kevin Nash. At Unforgiven, Orton (who had a "Legend Killer" gimmick) defeated Michaels to prove that he was indeed a Legend Killer. Later that night, Triple H defended the World Heavyweight Championship against Goldberg, to whom he lost the title. On the September 29 episode of Raw, Triple H issued a $100,000 bounty to anybody who could take out Goldberg. Three weeks later, Batista made his return during a match between Goldberg and Michaels and attacked the champion, finishing by stomping on a steel chair with Goldberg's ankle sandwiched in it to claim the bounty. At Survivor Series, Orton participated in a Team Bischoff versus Team Austin elimination tag team match in which Orton was the sole survivor. Later that night, Goldberg faced Triple H in a rematch from Unforgiven for the World Heavyweight Championship which Goldberg won despite repeated interference from Flair, Orton, and Batista. At the height of Evolution's power, the group controlled all of the male-based championships of Raw after Armageddon. Batista teamed with Flair to win the World Tag Team Championship from the Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley) in a Tag Team Turmoil match, Orton captured the WWE Intercontinental Championship from Rob Van Dam, and Triple H regained the World Heavyweight Championship from Goldberg (in a Triple Threat match that also involved Kane), with the help of the other members.
In January 2004 at the Royal Rumble, Flair and Batista successfully defended the World Tag Team Championship against the Dudley Boyz in a Tables match, and World Heavyweight Champion Triple H fought Shawn Michaels to no contest in a Last Man Standing match, thus retaining the championship. Flair and Batista exchanged the World Tag Team Championship with Booker T and Rob Van Dam. At WrestleMania XX, Evolution defeated the Rock 'n' Sock Connection (The Rock and Mick Foley) in a 3-on-2 handicap match. Later that night, Triple H lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Chris Benoit (in a triple threat match that also involved Shawn Michaels) when he tapped out to the Crippler Crossface. At Backlash, Flair lost to Shelton Benjamin in one-on-one action. Later that night, Orton defended the WWE Intercontinental Championship successfully against Cactus Jack (Mick Foley) in a Hardcore match, while Chris Benoit retained the World Heavyweight Championship in a triple threat match against Triple H and Shawn Michaels, this time forcing Michaels to submit with the Sharpshooter. Triple H and Shawn Michaels would later continue their feud at Bad Blood 2004 inside a Hell in the Cell, which was won by Triple H and thus ending their feud.
While still World Champion, Benoit teamed with Edge to take the World Tag Team Championship from Flair and Batista. In mid-2004, Eugene was made an "honorary member" of Evolution. When the angle finished, it was revealed that Triple H used him. The angle concluded after Eugene accidentally caused Triple H's loss to Chris Benoit at Vengeance.[29] On the same night, Edge defeated Randy Orton to end his seven-month-long Intercontinental Championship reign.
Triple H received one final shot at the World Heavyweight Championship, on the July 26, 2004 episode of Raw in an Iron Man match. Earlier that night, Orton won a number-one contender battle royal for the World Heavyweight Championship so a title match between Triple H and Orton could have taken place at SummerSlam. However, Eugene interfered in the Iron Man match and helped Benoit take the lead and retain the title in the final seconds. As a result, the main event of SummerSlam was a title match between Benoit and Orton. At SummerSlam, Orton pinned Benoit to become the new World Heavyweight Champion and the youngest World Champion in WWE history to date. On the August 16, 2004 episode of Raw, Orton was kicked out of Evolution following a successful defense of the title against Chris Benoit. Batista hoisted Orton on to his shoulders in what appeared to be a celebration, but following the thumbs down from Triple H, the group proceeded to attack Orton.
At Unforgiven, Triple H beat Orton to regain the World Heavyweight Championship, with help from Flair, Batista, and Jonathan Coachman. Orton's feud with Evolution continued until Survivor Series where Triple H, Batista, Gene Snitsky, and Edge were defeated by Orton, Maven, Chris Jericho, and Chris Benoit in a Survivor Series match for control of RAW over the following month.
On the December 6 episode of Raw, the World Heavyweight Championship was vacated when a triple threat match with Triple H, Edge, and Benoit ended in a double pin (Edge tapped out to Benoit's Crippler Crossface while he had Benoit pinned to the ground),[38] and the title was to be decided in an Elimination Chamber match at New Year's Revolution in early 2005.
In January 2004 at the Royal Rumble, Flair and Batista successfully defended the World Tag Team Championship against the Dudley Boyz in a Tables match, and World Heavyweight Champion Triple H fought Shawn Michaels to no contest in a Last Man Standing match, thus retaining the championship. Flair and Batista exchanged the World Tag Team Championship with Booker T and Rob Van Dam. At WrestleMania XX, Evolution defeated the Rock 'n' Sock Connection (The Rock and Mick Foley) in a 3-on-2 handicap match. Later that night, Triple H lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Chris Benoit (in a triple threat match that also involved Shawn Michaels) when he tapped out to the Crippler Crossface. At Backlash, Flair lost to Shelton Benjamin in one-on-one action. Later that night, Orton defended the WWE Intercontinental Championship successfully against Cactus Jack (Mick Foley) in a Hardcore match, while Chris Benoit retained the World Heavyweight Championship in a triple threat match against Triple H and Shawn Michaels, this time forcing Michaels to submit with the Sharpshooter. Triple H and Shawn Michaels would later continue their feud at Bad Blood 2004 inside a Hell in the Cell, which was won by Triple H and thus ending their feud.
While still World Champion, Benoit teamed with Edge to take the World Tag Team Championship from Flair and Batista. In mid-2004, Eugene was made an "honorary member" of Evolution. When the angle finished, it was revealed that Triple H used him. The angle concluded after Eugene accidentally caused Triple H's loss to Chris Benoit at Vengeance.[29] On the same night, Edge defeated Randy Orton to end his seven-month-long Intercontinental Championship reign.
Triple H received one final shot at the World Heavyweight Championship, on the July 26, 2004 episode of Raw in an Iron Man match. Earlier that night, Orton won a number-one contender battle royal for the World Heavyweight Championship so a title match between Triple H and Orton could have taken place at SummerSlam. However, Eugene interfered in the Iron Man match and helped Benoit take the lead and retain the title in the final seconds. As a result, the main event of SummerSlam was a title match between Benoit and Orton. At SummerSlam, Orton pinned Benoit to become the new World Heavyweight Champion and the youngest World Champion in WWE history to date. On the August 16, 2004 episode of Raw, Orton was kicked out of Evolution following a successful defense of the title against Chris Benoit. Batista hoisted Orton on to his shoulders in what appeared to be a celebration, but following the thumbs down from Triple H, the group proceeded to attack Orton.
At Unforgiven, Triple H beat Orton to regain the World Heavyweight Championship, with help from Flair, Batista, and Jonathan Coachman. Orton's feud with Evolution continued until Survivor Series where Triple H, Batista, Gene Snitsky, and Edge were defeated by Orton, Maven, Chris Jericho, and Chris Benoit in a Survivor Series match for control of RAW over the following month.
On the December 6 episode of Raw, the World Heavyweight Championship was vacated when a triple threat match with Triple H, Edge, and Benoit ended in a double pin (Edge tapped out to Benoit's Crippler Crossface while he had Benoit pinned to the ground),[38] and the title was to be decided in an Elimination Chamber match at New Year's Revolution in early 2005.
Dissolution (2005)
In the Elimination Chamber match at New Year's Revolution, Batista, Orton, and Triple H were the last three remaining in the match. Orton eliminated Batista with an RKO and Triple H pinned Orton with Batista's help to win the title. On the following night's Raw a number-one contender's match saw Orton pin Batista to gain a title shot at the Royal Rumble. Triple H suggested that Batista not enter the Royal Rumble match, wanting the group to focus on Triple H retaining the title. Batista declined, entered the Rumble at number 28 and won. As part of the match's storyline, Orton was concussed and then pinned to have Triple H retain the title, finally ending their feud.
Triple H tried to persuade Batista to challenge WWE Champion JBL of SmackDown rather than for his World Heavyweight title. This involved Triple H plotting a feud between JBL and Batista, showing JBL badmouthing Batista in an interview and staging a limousine attack on Batista. The scheme was unsuccessful and at the brand contract signing ceremony, Batista chose to remain on Raw, infuriating Triple H and thus quitting the faction. Batista defeated Triple H for the World title at WrestleMania 21, then defended and retained the title in rematches at Backlash, and Vengeance in a Hell in a Cell match. Triple H and Batista made peace backstage afterwards and ended their feud.
After Vengeance, Triple H took time off, and Flair turned face, winning the Intercontinental Championship, and the group was dissolved. Triple H returned at the "WWE Homecoming" episode of Raw on October 3 where he was to team with Flair in a tag team match against Carlito and Chris Masters. After winning that match, Triple H betrayed Flair and attacked him with a sledgehammer thus turning heel in the process and marking the end of Evolution. On December 10, 2007, Evolution had an in-ring reunion as faces on the Raw 15th Anniversary special episode. After Batista, Flair, and Triple H, who turned face himself in summer 2006 when he reunited with Shawn Michaels to reform D-Generation X, made their way to the ring, Orton said he hadn't forgiven them for turning on him in 2004 and didn't trust them, to which Triple H responded that they were sick of his arrogance, so he partnered with Rated RKO member Edge and Umaga. Evolution won the match. At Backlash Triple H won the WWE Championship in a fatal four way with John Cena, JBL and Randy Orton. After Triple H had won the WWE title, Randy Orton wanted the WWE title back and also with the revenge for his betrayal and defection in 2004. So they both feud at Judgement Day 2008 and Triple H retain the title again. After the that Randy still wanted the WWE title and his revenge so at One Night Stand, Triple H injured him and retain the WWE Championship.
In January 2009, Randy Orton created The Legacy, in retaliation for his betrayal in Evolution.In February 2009, Batista and WWE Champion Triple H began an intense, personal feud with Randy Orton. This heavily centered around Orton's quest for revenge from his betrayal and defection from Evolution following SummerSlam 2004, and blaming him for prematurely ruining Randy's life as the youngest World Heavyweight Champion, nearly five years before. In the main event of WrestleMania XXV, Triple H retained his WWE Championship against Orton. However, he would finally lose the title to Orton under unusual stipulations at the following Backlash pay-per-view. Triple H and Batista then disputed who would get a title match, which was earned by Batista and fulfilled at Judgment Day. After Randy Orton retained his WWE Championship by disqualification at Judgment Day, Ric Flair made his small return on Raw and announced that Batista will get his rematch at Extreme Rules in a Steel Cage Match. On June 7, Batista defeated Randy Orton and captured his first WWE Championship. But he would later have to vacate the title the next night on Raw, after he suffered his legitimate torn left biceps during an attack by Legacy and Randy Orton. On March 22, 2010 episode of Raw, Triple H had teamed up with Randy Orton, who had turned face again after leaving The Legacy for the first time since the group's dissolution, as his partner in a match against Sheamus and Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase in a losing effort. During this episode of Raw, Orton and Triple H finally made peace with each other, with Orton admitting that he respects him.
Triple H tried to persuade Batista to challenge WWE Champion JBL of SmackDown rather than for his World Heavyweight title. This involved Triple H plotting a feud between JBL and Batista, showing JBL badmouthing Batista in an interview and staging a limousine attack on Batista. The scheme was unsuccessful and at the brand contract signing ceremony, Batista chose to remain on Raw, infuriating Triple H and thus quitting the faction. Batista defeated Triple H for the World title at WrestleMania 21, then defended and retained the title in rematches at Backlash, and Vengeance in a Hell in a Cell match. Triple H and Batista made peace backstage afterwards and ended their feud.
After Vengeance, Triple H took time off, and Flair turned face, winning the Intercontinental Championship, and the group was dissolved. Triple H returned at the "WWE Homecoming" episode of Raw on October 3 where he was to team with Flair in a tag team match against Carlito and Chris Masters. After winning that match, Triple H betrayed Flair and attacked him with a sledgehammer thus turning heel in the process and marking the end of Evolution. On December 10, 2007, Evolution had an in-ring reunion as faces on the Raw 15th Anniversary special episode. After Batista, Flair, and Triple H, who turned face himself in summer 2006 when he reunited with Shawn Michaels to reform D-Generation X, made their way to the ring, Orton said he hadn't forgiven them for turning on him in 2004 and didn't trust them, to which Triple H responded that they were sick of his arrogance, so he partnered with Rated RKO member Edge and Umaga. Evolution won the match. At Backlash Triple H won the WWE Championship in a fatal four way with John Cena, JBL and Randy Orton. After Triple H had won the WWE title, Randy Orton wanted the WWE title back and also with the revenge for his betrayal and defection in 2004. So they both feud at Judgement Day 2008 and Triple H retain the title again. After the that Randy still wanted the WWE title and his revenge so at One Night Stand, Triple H injured him and retain the WWE Championship.
In January 2009, Randy Orton created The Legacy, in retaliation for his betrayal in Evolution.In February 2009, Batista and WWE Champion Triple H began an intense, personal feud with Randy Orton. This heavily centered around Orton's quest for revenge from his betrayal and defection from Evolution following SummerSlam 2004, and blaming him for prematurely ruining Randy's life as the youngest World Heavyweight Champion, nearly five years before. In the main event of WrestleMania XXV, Triple H retained his WWE Championship against Orton. However, he would finally lose the title to Orton under unusual stipulations at the following Backlash pay-per-view. Triple H and Batista then disputed who would get a title match, which was earned by Batista and fulfilled at Judgment Day. After Randy Orton retained his WWE Championship by disqualification at Judgment Day, Ric Flair made his small return on Raw and announced that Batista will get his rematch at Extreme Rules in a Steel Cage Match. On June 7, Batista defeated Randy Orton and captured his first WWE Championship. But he would later have to vacate the title the next night on Raw, after he suffered his legitimate torn left biceps during an attack by Legacy and Randy Orton. On March 22, 2010 episode of Raw, Triple H had teamed up with Randy Orton, who had turned face again after leaving The Legacy for the first time since the group's dissolution, as his partner in a match against Sheamus and Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase in a losing effort. During this episode of Raw, Orton and Triple H finally made peace with each other, with Orton admitting that he respects him.
Members
Triple H
Ric Flair
Randy Orton
Dave Batista
|
February 3, 2003 - October 3, 2005; December 10, 2007 (one night only)
February 3, 2003 - October 3, 2005; December 10, 2007 (one night only) February 3, 2003 - August 16, 2004 February 3, 2003 - February 21, 2005; December 10, 2007 (one night only) |
In wrestling
Entrance themes
1) "Evolve" by Jim Johnston (February 10 2003 – June 16 2003)
2) "Line in the Sand" by Motörhead (July 14 2003 – November 14 2004; December 10 2007)
2) "Line in the Sand" by Motörhead (July 14 2003 – November 14 2004; December 10 2007)
Championships and accomplishments
World Heavyweight Championship (6 times) – Triple H (5) and Randy Orton (1)
World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – Ric Flair and Batista (2)
WWE Intercontinental Championship (2 times) – Randy Orton (1), Flair (1)
Royal Rumble (2005) - Batista
World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – Ric Flair and Batista (2)
WWE Intercontinental Championship (2 times) – Randy Orton (1), Flair (1)
Royal Rumble (2005) - Batista
Rated-RKO
Rated-RKO was a professional wrestling tag team in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) based on the Raw brand. The team consisted of Edge, Randy Orton, and Lita, their valet. The name "Rated-RKO" contains part of Edge's nickname, "The Rated R Superstar," and Orton's initials/finishing maneuver, RKO.
Edge and Orton formed an alliance in October 2006 to challenge the team of Triple H and Shawn Michaels, collectively known as D-Generation X (DX), who Rated-RKO felt were preventing them from becoming world champions. Rated-RKO would succeed in defeating DX, giving the latter their first loss since their reunion in June 2006. The following month, Edge and Orton became World Tag Team Champions, and Lita left the group after her legitimate retirement.
In January 2007, Rated-RKO would go on to lose the World Tag Team Championship, which would cause tension between the two. The group officially disbanded in May 2007, after Edge moved to the SmackDown brand. Edge and Orton had occasional reunions until Edge's retirement in 2011.
Edge and Orton formed an alliance in October 2006 to challenge the team of Triple H and Shawn Michaels, collectively known as D-Generation X (DX), who Rated-RKO felt were preventing them from becoming world champions. Rated-RKO would succeed in defeating DX, giving the latter their first loss since their reunion in June 2006. The following month, Edge and Orton became World Tag Team Champions, and Lita left the group after her legitimate retirement.
In January 2007, Rated-RKO would go on to lose the World Tag Team Championship, which would cause tension between the two. The group officially disbanded in May 2007, after Edge moved to the SmackDown brand. Edge and Orton had occasional reunions until Edge's retirement in 2011.
History
Feud with D-Generation X (2006–2007)
On the October 2, 2006, episode of one of the WWE's television programs, Raw, interference from the newly reformed D-Generation X (DX) (Triple H and Shawn Michaels) tag team cost Edge his promoted "final chance" at the WWE Championship held by John Cena in a Steel Cage match. This led to Edge approaching Randy Orton and asking him to join forces with him to "get rid of DX". In his stand, Edge explained to Orton why he should join him as a tag team partner, as he cited Orton's lack of success after being kicked out of Evolution (Orton's former group), as well as the antics of DX taking up TV time that he felt should rightfully go to the younger stars.
Edge and Orton, calling themselves "Rated-RKO", immediately became very outspoken against DX and began mocking them at every opportunity, including a sketch reminiscent of the ones DX did about their opponents on a usual basis. Eventually Orton traded wins with Triple H in singles matches on episodes of Raw, leading to a tag team match on November 5, 2006, at Cyber Sunday with the fans choosing the special guest referee. At the pay-per-view, the duo gave DX their first team loss since they reunited when Eric Bischoff (the fan selected referee) allowed the use of a steel chair without calling for a disqualification.[7] Later in the night, Lita won the Women's Championship in the finals of a seven woman tournament. The following night on Raw, Edge and Orton faced Ric Flair and Roddy Piper for the World Tag Team Championship with Eric Bischoff as the guest referee. Rated-RKO lost the match, following help from DX.
The following week, however, the team managed to capture the title in a rematch when they attacked Piper upon making his entrance, with Edge delivering a one man con-chair-to to Piper. As he was taken to the locker room by paramedics, Flair was forced to defend the title by himself, and Rated-RKO won the match after Edge performed a spear on Flair.[10][11] The real reason for the sudden switch was later revealed to be Piper's diagnosis of lymphoma forcing him out of action.
At Survivor Series, Lita legitimately retired from WWE after losing her Women's Championship to Mickie James and left the group in the process. At the same event, Team Rated-RKO—consisting of Rated-RKO along with Johnny Nitro, Mike Knox, and Gregory Helms—were swept by Team DX—DX, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, and CM Punk—with Orton being the last member eliminated in a ten-man elimination match. The night after Survivor Series, Edge and Orton beat Ric Flair until he was bloody and continued to beat him after dragging him to the ring, knowing that DX had already left the building. In doing so, DX claimed they had made their rivalry "personal". At New Year's Revolution in January 2007, Rated-RKO retained the World Tag Team Championship after fighting with DX to a no-contest in a match that saw Triple H suffer a legitimate torn right quadriceps muscle.
With Triple H out of action, Rated-RKO continued their on-screen rivalry with remaining DX member Shawn Michaels. They were able to schedule a two-on-one handicap match against Michaels, during which he was able to beat the odds and defeat both men, leaving Orton lying in the ring after a one man con-chair-to as Edge stood and watched at ringside. On January 29, 2007, the duo lost the World Tag Team Championship to the impromptu team of John Cena and Michaels. Internal dissension continued as both men laid claim to being the number one contender to the WWE Championship, and Edge walked out on Orton during a February 26, 2007, rematch for the World Tag Team Championship due to miscommunication.
Edge and Orton, calling themselves "Rated-RKO", immediately became very outspoken against DX and began mocking them at every opportunity, including a sketch reminiscent of the ones DX did about their opponents on a usual basis. Eventually Orton traded wins with Triple H in singles matches on episodes of Raw, leading to a tag team match on November 5, 2006, at Cyber Sunday with the fans choosing the special guest referee. At the pay-per-view, the duo gave DX their first team loss since they reunited when Eric Bischoff (the fan selected referee) allowed the use of a steel chair without calling for a disqualification.[7] Later in the night, Lita won the Women's Championship in the finals of a seven woman tournament. The following night on Raw, Edge and Orton faced Ric Flair and Roddy Piper for the World Tag Team Championship with Eric Bischoff as the guest referee. Rated-RKO lost the match, following help from DX.
The following week, however, the team managed to capture the title in a rematch when they attacked Piper upon making his entrance, with Edge delivering a one man con-chair-to to Piper. As he was taken to the locker room by paramedics, Flair was forced to defend the title by himself, and Rated-RKO won the match after Edge performed a spear on Flair.[10][11] The real reason for the sudden switch was later revealed to be Piper's diagnosis of lymphoma forcing him out of action.
At Survivor Series, Lita legitimately retired from WWE after losing her Women's Championship to Mickie James and left the group in the process. At the same event, Team Rated-RKO—consisting of Rated-RKO along with Johnny Nitro, Mike Knox, and Gregory Helms—were swept by Team DX—DX, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, and CM Punk—with Orton being the last member eliminated in a ten-man elimination match. The night after Survivor Series, Edge and Orton beat Ric Flair until he was bloody and continued to beat him after dragging him to the ring, knowing that DX had already left the building. In doing so, DX claimed they had made their rivalry "personal". At New Year's Revolution in January 2007, Rated-RKO retained the World Tag Team Championship after fighting with DX to a no-contest in a match that saw Triple H suffer a legitimate torn right quadriceps muscle.
With Triple H out of action, Rated-RKO continued their on-screen rivalry with remaining DX member Shawn Michaels. They were able to schedule a two-on-one handicap match against Michaels, during which he was able to beat the odds and defeat both men, leaving Orton lying in the ring after a one man con-chair-to as Edge stood and watched at ringside. On January 29, 2007, the duo lost the World Tag Team Championship to the impromptu team of John Cena and Michaels. Internal dissension continued as both men laid claim to being the number one contender to the WWE Championship, and Edge walked out on Orton during a February 26, 2007, rematch for the World Tag Team Championship due to miscommunication.
WWE Championship chase (2007)
The relationship strained further after both men qualified for the WrestleMania 23 Money in the Bank ladder match, which would grant the winner a championship match. For weeks Edge influenced various authority figures into putting Orton in matches that would cause Orton not to succeed.
On the April 16, 2007, episode of Raw, they reunited to take on John Cena in a handicap match but lost the match due to interference from Michaels. At Backlash, the two were involved in a Fatal Four-Way match for the WWE Championship along with Michaels and Cena. Cena ended up retaining the title after pinning Orton.
On the April 16, 2007, episode of Raw, they reunited to take on John Cena in a handicap match but lost the match due to interference from Michaels. At Backlash, the two were involved in a Fatal Four-Way match for the WWE Championship along with Michaels and Cena. Cena ended up retaining the title after pinning Orton.
Breakup and on-off reunions (2007–2011)
On the April 30, 2007, episode of Raw, Edge and Orton met in a one-on-one match. Edge won the match by pinning Orton following a spear. Edge then moved to the SmackDown brand on the May 11 episode after cashing in the Money in the Bank briefcase (which he had won from Mr. Kennedy on the same episode of Raw) to win the World Heavyweight Championship from then-champion The Undertaker. With this move, Rated-RKO was officially disbanded.
During Raw's 15th Anniversary episode on December 10, 2007, Rated-RKO reunited for 'one night only' and were involved in a six man tag team match, with their partner Umaga facing Evolution (Triple H, Batista, and Ric Flair), Orton's former teammates. They lost the match after being disqualified. The team had a reunion of sorts on the April 21, 2008, episode of Raw, when Orton and Edge teamed with John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) and Chavo Guerrero to take on John Cena, Triple H, The Undertaker, and Kane in a winning effort.
On the April 26, 2010, episode of Raw, Edge cost Orton a title shot against John Cena by spearing him during a triple threat match against Batista and Sheamus. Orton and Edge faced off at May's Over the Limit pay-per-view, though, Orton dislocated his right shoulder and concluded the match with a double countout. On the January 28, 2011, episode of SmackDown, Edge and Orton—now both fan favorites—reunited to take on Dolph Ziggler and The Miz which saw them defeat Ziggler and Miz. On the February 18, 2011, episode of SmackDown, Edge and Orton reunited once again with John Morrison, R-Truth, Rey Mysterio, and John Cena to take on CM Punk, Kane, Drew McIntyre, Wade Barrett, Dolph Ziggler, and Sheamus in a 12-man tag team match which was won by Edge, Orton, Morrison, Truth, Mysterio, and Cena.
On the April 11 episode of Raw, Edge announced his retirement from professional wrestling thus ending any possibility of he and Orton teaming up again.
During Raw's 15th Anniversary episode on December 10, 2007, Rated-RKO reunited for 'one night only' and were involved in a six man tag team match, with their partner Umaga facing Evolution (Triple H, Batista, and Ric Flair), Orton's former teammates. They lost the match after being disqualified. The team had a reunion of sorts on the April 21, 2008, episode of Raw, when Orton and Edge teamed with John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) and Chavo Guerrero to take on John Cena, Triple H, The Undertaker, and Kane in a winning effort.
On the April 26, 2010, episode of Raw, Edge cost Orton a title shot against John Cena by spearing him during a triple threat match against Batista and Sheamus. Orton and Edge faced off at May's Over the Limit pay-per-view, though, Orton dislocated his right shoulder and concluded the match with a double countout. On the January 28, 2011, episode of SmackDown, Edge and Orton—now both fan favorites—reunited to take on Dolph Ziggler and The Miz which saw them defeat Ziggler and Miz. On the February 18, 2011, episode of SmackDown, Edge and Orton reunited once again with John Morrison, R-Truth, Rey Mysterio, and John Cena to take on CM Punk, Kane, Drew McIntyre, Wade Barrett, Dolph Ziggler, and Sheamus in a 12-man tag team match which was won by Edge, Orton, Morrison, Truth, Mysterio, and Cena.
On the April 11 episode of Raw, Edge announced his retirement from professional wrestling thus ending any possibility of he and Orton teaming up again.
In wrestling
Finishing maneuvers
Con-chair-to
Double RKO (Double jumping cutter)
Double dropkick
Double RKO (Double jumping cutter)
Double dropkick
Entrance themes
"Rated RKO" by Jim Johnston (2006–2007)
Championships and accomplishments
World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – Randy Orton and Edge
WWE Women's Championship (1 time) – Lita
WWE Women's Championship (1 time) – Lita
The Legacy
The Legacy was a villainous alliance of professional wrestlers in World Wrestling Entertainment. The group was led by Randy Orton and contained the tag team of Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase. Manu and Sim Snuka were associated with the group in its early incarnation, but were never official members.
In June 2008, Rhodes and DiBiase first formed an alliance after winning the World Tag Team Championship at Night of Champions, when Rhodes betrayed his original partner, Hardcore Holly, to align with DiBiase. Soon after, the pair tried to earn Orton's respect, which they eventually did. Together, the team helped Orton win the 2009 Royal Rumble match, giving Orton an opportunity to main event at WrestleMania XXV. The team also wrestled together in a tag team match to win the WWE Championship for Orton at Backlash. The team would help Orton win the championship three times over the course of 2009 despite a tumultuous relationship which saw Orton often physically attacking his two students. This led to Orton splitting from the group in early 2010. Rhodes and DiBiase eventually turned on each other in their match with Orton at WrestleMania XXVI, splitting up the trio.
In June 2008, Rhodes and DiBiase first formed an alliance after winning the World Tag Team Championship at Night of Champions, when Rhodes betrayed his original partner, Hardcore Holly, to align with DiBiase. Soon after, the pair tried to earn Orton's respect, which they eventually did. Together, the team helped Orton win the 2009 Royal Rumble match, giving Orton an opportunity to main event at WrestleMania XXV. The team also wrestled together in a tag team match to win the WWE Championship for Orton at Backlash. The team would help Orton win the championship three times over the course of 2009 despite a tumultuous relationship which saw Orton often physically attacking his two students. This led to Orton splitting from the group in early 2010. Rhodes and DiBiase eventually turned on each other in their match with Orton at WrestleMania XXVI, splitting up the trio.
Concept
The concept behind the group was that each member is a multi-generational wrestler. The name of the faction, The Legacy, referred to their extensive family histories in wrestling. Randy Orton's father (Bob Orton, Jr.), uncle (Barry Orton) and grandfather (Bob Orton, Sr.) were all professional wrestlers. Ted DiBiase, meanwhile, takes his name from his father, (Ted DiBiase) who wrestled before him along with both his grandparents (adoptive grandfather, Mike DiBiase and grandmother Helen Hild). Cody Rhodes is only a second generation wrestler, taking after his father (Dusty Rhodes) and his two uncles (Jerry Sags and Fred Ottman), who precede him in the business. Due to their status as second or third generation wrestlers, all the members of The Legacy believe themselves to be superior to the other wrestlers in WWE, in storyline.
In an interview, Orton said the point of The Legacy was to create "future opponents" for himself and the others who would be wrestling in main events in WWE over the next decade. The Legacy has been compared to the former WWE faction Evolution of which Orton was a member, but Rhodes and DiBiase have said that they see the comparison as an opportunity to prove themselves and show their potential.
In an interview, Orton said the point of The Legacy was to create "future opponents" for himself and the others who would be wrestling in main events in WWE over the next decade. The Legacy has been compared to the former WWE faction Evolution of which Orton was a member, but Rhodes and DiBiase have said that they see the comparison as an opportunity to prove themselves and show their potential.
History
Formation (2008)
Cody Rhodes was a World Tag Team Champion throughout the beginning of 2008 alongside Hardcore Holly, who was acting as a mentor to him. Ted DiBiase made his first WWE appearance on the May 26 episode of Raw, in which he claimed that he and a mystery partner would take the World Tag Team Championship from Rhodes and Holly. At the Night of Champions pay-per-view event in June, DiBiase revealed his partner was running late and started the match without him, however Rhodes quickly betrayed Holly by attacking him. This turned Rhodes into a villainous character and meant that he and DiBiase won the championship.
In September, Randy Orton, who at the time was injured, made an appearance on Raw, where he criticized all the champions, mocking Rhodes and DiBiase for allowing their title belts to be stolen by Cryme Tyme (Shad Gaspard and JTG). The two responded by assaulting Cryme Tyme and introducing Manu (son of Afa the Wild Samoan) as their new member at Unforgiven.This did little to impress Orton, so later that evening Rhodes, DiBiase, and Manu assaulted World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk as Orton confronted him backstage. This allowed Orton to punt Punk in the head, removing him from his championship match, and gaining Orton's respect.
When Orton was well enough to wrestle, Punk demanded a match with him, which he won via disqualification when DiBiase interfered. As a result, Orton punted DiBiase in the head, putting him out of action; this storyline was put in place in order for DiBiase to take time off to film The Marine 2. Orton then invited Rhodes and Manu to form a group with him called The Legacy, and used them to help in his rivalry with Batista leading to a three-on-two handicap match where Batista was put out of action for four months.
After Sim Snuka, the son of Jimmy Snuka, also expressed interest in joining the group, Orton made them qualify through a series of tests which Manu failed the first week.[18] On the January 5 episode of Raw, Snuka and Rhodes won a tag team match against Cryme Tyme. Before the match, Orton informed them that they had to win the match in order to be part of the group. After the match, Orton explained that since Snuka did not pick up the pinfall, he was out of the group. The following week, Manu and Snuka informed Rhodes that they were intending to assault Orton and had brought someone to help them do so, giving Rhodes an ultimatum to choose a side. When Rhodes refused to side with them, Manu and Snuka brought out a returning Ted DiBiase to aid them, and tried to assault Rhodes and Orton. Instead, however, DiBiase joined The Legacy, attacking Manu and Snuka, and forgiving Orton for attacking him.
In September, Randy Orton, who at the time was injured, made an appearance on Raw, where he criticized all the champions, mocking Rhodes and DiBiase for allowing their title belts to be stolen by Cryme Tyme (Shad Gaspard and JTG). The two responded by assaulting Cryme Tyme and introducing Manu (son of Afa the Wild Samoan) as their new member at Unforgiven.This did little to impress Orton, so later that evening Rhodes, DiBiase, and Manu assaulted World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk as Orton confronted him backstage. This allowed Orton to punt Punk in the head, removing him from his championship match, and gaining Orton's respect.
When Orton was well enough to wrestle, Punk demanded a match with him, which he won via disqualification when DiBiase interfered. As a result, Orton punted DiBiase in the head, putting him out of action; this storyline was put in place in order for DiBiase to take time off to film The Marine 2. Orton then invited Rhodes and Manu to form a group with him called The Legacy, and used them to help in his rivalry with Batista leading to a three-on-two handicap match where Batista was put out of action for four months.
After Sim Snuka, the son of Jimmy Snuka, also expressed interest in joining the group, Orton made them qualify through a series of tests which Manu failed the first week.[18] On the January 5 episode of Raw, Snuka and Rhodes won a tag team match against Cryme Tyme. Before the match, Orton informed them that they had to win the match in order to be part of the group. After the match, Orton explained that since Snuka did not pick up the pinfall, he was out of the group. The following week, Manu and Snuka informed Rhodes that they were intending to assault Orton and had brought someone to help them do so, giving Rhodes an ultimatum to choose a side. When Rhodes refused to side with them, Manu and Snuka brought out a returning Ted DiBiase to aid them, and tried to assault Rhodes and Orton. Instead, however, DiBiase joined The Legacy, attacking Manu and Snuka, and forgiving Orton for attacking him.
Feud with the McMahon family (2009)
With The Legacy finally formed, Manu and Snuka still wanted revenge on Orton. Fearing they would try to convince Raw General Manager Stephanie McMahon to fire him, Orton went to speak to her himself but their conversation ended in an argument. When Mr McMahon, Stephanie's father, made his return that night Orton maintained he was owed an apology. His brashness angered McMahon who responded by trying to fire Orton, but before he could finish his sentence Orton slapped McMahon and gave him a running punt which left him hospitalized in the storyline. During the 30-man Royal Rumble match that Sunday the group worked as a team, making them three of the last four contestants in the ring with Triple H as the other. Ultimately, in throwing out Rhodes and DiBiase, Triple H was distracted enough to allow Orton to throw him over the top rope and win the match. The next evening on Raw, The Legacy came to the ring accompanied by lawyers and doctors, with Orton explaining his outburst against Mr McMahon was a result of intermittent explosive disorder (IED) and threatened to sue the company and cancel WrestleMania XXV if he was fired, as winning the Rumble guaranteed him a championship match at WrestleMania. Instead he was booked for a no holds barred match with Mr McMahon's son, Shane, at No Way Out in February, which Orton won. The night after the event, they fought again until Orton punted Shane unconscious. Stephanie McMahon came to the ring to oversee her brother being carried away by the paramedics and shouted at Orton until he performed an RKO, his finishing move, to her. Triple H ran to the ring and chased away the group, standing over the body of Stephanie McMahon.
In an interview on SmackDown that week, Triple H revealed his real life marriage to Stephanie (even though they had divorced on-screen in 2002 prior to their actual marriage). Originally, Orton announced he did not have intentions of facing Triple H, who at the time was the WWE Champion, but instead planned to face the World Heavyweight Champion. Triple H, however, goaded Orton into "avenging" his first World Championship loss and ousting from their previous stable, Evolution, and Orton changed his mind, leading to their match being booked for WrestleMania XXV. Orton revealed that he had targeted the McMahon family in order to avenge his unceremonious departure from Evolution in 2004. Due to the intensity of the rivalry, the decision was made that the WWE Championship could change hands at WrestleMania due to a countout or disqualification; despite this, Triple H won the match after hitting Orton with a sledgehammer while the referee was knocked down.
The night after WrestleMania, Orton demanded a rematch, threatening Linda McMahon, Mr McMahon's wife, as well as their grandchildren. McMahon did not grant him the rematch but scheduled a six-man tag team match for the pay-per-view Backlash between Triple H, Shane and Mr McMahon and The Legacy, with a preview that evening between Mr McMahon and Orton. However, Raw's General Manager at that time, Vickie Guerrero, made their six-man tag team match a WWE Championship match. The stipulation was that if Triple H's team won, he retained the championship, while if The Legacy won, Orton would win the title. As the singles match progressed, Shane and Triple H came to Mr McMahon's aid, causing both Rhodes and DiBiase to interfere until a returning Batista appeared and cleared the ring; McMahon then announced that Batista was to replace him in the match at Backlash. At the event, Orton won by pinning Triple H after an RKO and a running punt, leaving Triple H hospitalized according to the storyline. In spite of Triple H's absence, Shane McMahon continued his feud with the group, leading to another match between him and Orton on Raw. After the original match ended in a no contest due to interference, Rhodes and DiBiase won singles matches to be entered into a handicap match with all of The Legacy facing Shane later that night. This match was used to write him out of the storyline, as The Legacy members used the steel ring steps to shatter his ankle.
In an interview on SmackDown that week, Triple H revealed his real life marriage to Stephanie (even though they had divorced on-screen in 2002 prior to their actual marriage). Originally, Orton announced he did not have intentions of facing Triple H, who at the time was the WWE Champion, but instead planned to face the World Heavyweight Champion. Triple H, however, goaded Orton into "avenging" his first World Championship loss and ousting from their previous stable, Evolution, and Orton changed his mind, leading to their match being booked for WrestleMania XXV. Orton revealed that he had targeted the McMahon family in order to avenge his unceremonious departure from Evolution in 2004. Due to the intensity of the rivalry, the decision was made that the WWE Championship could change hands at WrestleMania due to a countout or disqualification; despite this, Triple H won the match after hitting Orton with a sledgehammer while the referee was knocked down.
The night after WrestleMania, Orton demanded a rematch, threatening Linda McMahon, Mr McMahon's wife, as well as their grandchildren. McMahon did not grant him the rematch but scheduled a six-man tag team match for the pay-per-view Backlash between Triple H, Shane and Mr McMahon and The Legacy, with a preview that evening between Mr McMahon and Orton. However, Raw's General Manager at that time, Vickie Guerrero, made their six-man tag team match a WWE Championship match. The stipulation was that if Triple H's team won, he retained the championship, while if The Legacy won, Orton would win the title. As the singles match progressed, Shane and Triple H came to Mr McMahon's aid, causing both Rhodes and DiBiase to interfere until a returning Batista appeared and cleared the ring; McMahon then announced that Batista was to replace him in the match at Backlash. At the event, Orton won by pinning Triple H after an RKO and a running punt, leaving Triple H hospitalized according to the storyline. In spite of Triple H's absence, Shane McMahon continued his feud with the group, leading to another match between him and Orton on Raw. After the original match ended in a no contest due to interference, Rhodes and DiBiase won singles matches to be entered into a handicap match with all of The Legacy facing Shane later that night. This match was used to write him out of the storyline, as The Legacy members used the steel ring steps to shatter his ankle.
Orton as WWE Champion (2009)
Batista was left on his own as a result of The Legacy attacking Shane McMahon, but continued to challenge Orton for the WWE Championship. Orton and Batista had a match at Judgment Day, but it ended with Orton intentionally slapping the referee to cause a disqualification, which meant that the championship did not change hands. In their rematch, however, which was held inside a steel cage at the Extreme Rules pay-per-view, Batista won the championship.
The following night on Raw, during Batista's celebratory speech, The Legacy attacked Batista, and injured him in storyline. This storyline was used to cover a real injury Batista had sustained. Orton's rematch that night, intended to be used despite Batista's absence, went awry when Triple H returned, resulting in the match being declared a no contest. The following week, a match was held to determine the new WWE Champion between Orton, Triple H, John Cena and The Big Show, which Orton won. At The Bash pay-per-view, signs of dissention between DiBiase and Orton appeared when DiBiase argued with Orton backstage. Despite this, DiBiase and Rhodes both helped Orton retain his WWE Championship later that night against Triple H. This tension was later expanded upon when DiBiase's father booked Orton and DiBiase in a match on Raw while he was in charge; Orton won the match but the team showed solidarity later in the same evening by interfering in a WWE Championship contender match between Triple H and Cena, leading to it being ruled a no contest. This made the subsequent match at Night of Champions a triple threat contest. Similar tensions arose briefly in the group late in August when Rhodes' father, Dusty, booked Orton and Rhodes in a match on Raw. It quickly turned out to be a ruse with Dusty's intention to allow The Legacy to attack Cena, who was special guest referee. Despite the four standing tall together, Orton quickly gave an RKO to Dusty which angered Rhodes though he would fall in line.
After Orton retained the championship in July's Night of Champions, the team worked together again to prevent Triple H from receiving a rematch against Orton by slowing his Beat The Clock Challenge match, so that he did not have the quickest time and did not receive a championship match. As a result, Triple H refocused his attention on Rhodes and DiBiase, losing to them in a handicap match, and reforming D-Generation X (DX) with Shawn Michaels. Rhodes and DiBiase faced DX at SummerSlam, but lost the match, although they later defeated DX in a Submissions Count Anywhere match at the Breaking Point pay-per-view, using a combined figure-four leg lock and Million Dollar Dream on Shawn Michaels. The following month DX defeated DiBiase and Rhodes at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view by locking DiBiase out of the cell and double-teaming Rhodes, just as the team had done to Michaels earlier in the match. Meanwhile, Orton retained the title against Cena at SummerSlam after the match was restarted a number of times to prevent Orton sneaking a win through disqualification and count out, with an unknown fan, later revealed to be Ted's brother Brett, eventually coming in from the crowd to attack the referee and cause a distraction which helped Orton retain. At Breaking Point, Orton lost the WWE Championship to John Cena in an "I Quit" match only to win it back the next month in a Hell in a Cell match at the eponymous event. At WWE Bragging Rights, Orton lost the championship back to Cena in a 60 minute Iron Man match with the stipulation that it would be the last championship match between the two. Earlier in the evening Rhodes appeared on Team Raw in a match that pitted Raw against SmackDown in a tag team match. He was seen backstage blaming Kofi Kingston for the loss and in retaliation Kingston ran out to chase away Rhodes and DiBiase when they interfered in the Iron Man match.
Kingston won a return match against Chris Jericho the following night, who had pinned him at Bragging Rights, but after the match Orton attacked him. Kingston retaliated by vandalising a NASCAR that Rhodes and DiBiase bought him to cheer him after his title loss.[45] The rivalry continued when, at Madison Square Garden, Orton attacked Hall of Famer Roddy Piper but just before he could deliver a punt Kingston came out and attacked Orton, making him bleed and leg dropping him through a table. Kofi headed a team at November's Survivor Series against Orton's team of The Legacy, William Regal and CM Punk which ended with Kingston eliminating Punk and then Orton in quick succession to become the sole survivor while Christian eliminated Rhodes and DiBiase earlier. The next night on Raw Jesse Ventura announced the contender for the WWE Championship would be determined by a series of matches contested for by wrestlers who had never held the title before. Despite this Orton managed to persuade Ventura to allow him into the tournament by defeating Evan Bourne while Rhodes and DiBiase defeated Cryme Tyme to make it through but in the Battle Royal final were eliminated by Mark Henry while Orton was pulled over by Kingston, who held on to the ropes after Orton had thrown him out. Orton defeated Kingston the following week on November 30's Raw after he was attacked from behind by both Rhodes and DiBiase separately, while Kingston took a return win the following week after guest referee Mark Cuban made a fast count leading to a rubber match at the TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view which Orton won.
The following night on Raw, during Batista's celebratory speech, The Legacy attacked Batista, and injured him in storyline. This storyline was used to cover a real injury Batista had sustained. Orton's rematch that night, intended to be used despite Batista's absence, went awry when Triple H returned, resulting in the match being declared a no contest. The following week, a match was held to determine the new WWE Champion between Orton, Triple H, John Cena and The Big Show, which Orton won. At The Bash pay-per-view, signs of dissention between DiBiase and Orton appeared when DiBiase argued with Orton backstage. Despite this, DiBiase and Rhodes both helped Orton retain his WWE Championship later that night against Triple H. This tension was later expanded upon when DiBiase's father booked Orton and DiBiase in a match on Raw while he was in charge; Orton won the match but the team showed solidarity later in the same evening by interfering in a WWE Championship contender match between Triple H and Cena, leading to it being ruled a no contest. This made the subsequent match at Night of Champions a triple threat contest. Similar tensions arose briefly in the group late in August when Rhodes' father, Dusty, booked Orton and Rhodes in a match on Raw. It quickly turned out to be a ruse with Dusty's intention to allow The Legacy to attack Cena, who was special guest referee. Despite the four standing tall together, Orton quickly gave an RKO to Dusty which angered Rhodes though he would fall in line.
After Orton retained the championship in July's Night of Champions, the team worked together again to prevent Triple H from receiving a rematch against Orton by slowing his Beat The Clock Challenge match, so that he did not have the quickest time and did not receive a championship match. As a result, Triple H refocused his attention on Rhodes and DiBiase, losing to them in a handicap match, and reforming D-Generation X (DX) with Shawn Michaels. Rhodes and DiBiase faced DX at SummerSlam, but lost the match, although they later defeated DX in a Submissions Count Anywhere match at the Breaking Point pay-per-view, using a combined figure-four leg lock and Million Dollar Dream on Shawn Michaels. The following month DX defeated DiBiase and Rhodes at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view by locking DiBiase out of the cell and double-teaming Rhodes, just as the team had done to Michaels earlier in the match. Meanwhile, Orton retained the title against Cena at SummerSlam after the match was restarted a number of times to prevent Orton sneaking a win through disqualification and count out, with an unknown fan, later revealed to be Ted's brother Brett, eventually coming in from the crowd to attack the referee and cause a distraction which helped Orton retain. At Breaking Point, Orton lost the WWE Championship to John Cena in an "I Quit" match only to win it back the next month in a Hell in a Cell match at the eponymous event. At WWE Bragging Rights, Orton lost the championship back to Cena in a 60 minute Iron Man match with the stipulation that it would be the last championship match between the two. Earlier in the evening Rhodes appeared on Team Raw in a match that pitted Raw against SmackDown in a tag team match. He was seen backstage blaming Kofi Kingston for the loss and in retaliation Kingston ran out to chase away Rhodes and DiBiase when they interfered in the Iron Man match.
Kingston won a return match against Chris Jericho the following night, who had pinned him at Bragging Rights, but after the match Orton attacked him. Kingston retaliated by vandalising a NASCAR that Rhodes and DiBiase bought him to cheer him after his title loss.[45] The rivalry continued when, at Madison Square Garden, Orton attacked Hall of Famer Roddy Piper but just before he could deliver a punt Kingston came out and attacked Orton, making him bleed and leg dropping him through a table. Kofi headed a team at November's Survivor Series against Orton's team of The Legacy, William Regal and CM Punk which ended with Kingston eliminating Punk and then Orton in quick succession to become the sole survivor while Christian eliminated Rhodes and DiBiase earlier. The next night on Raw Jesse Ventura announced the contender for the WWE Championship would be determined by a series of matches contested for by wrestlers who had never held the title before. Despite this Orton managed to persuade Ventura to allow him into the tournament by defeating Evan Bourne while Rhodes and DiBiase defeated Cryme Tyme to make it through but in the Battle Royal final were eliminated by Mark Henry while Orton was pulled over by Kingston, who held on to the ropes after Orton had thrown him out. Orton defeated Kingston the following week on November 30's Raw after he was attacked from behind by both Rhodes and DiBiase separately, while Kingston took a return win the following week after guest referee Mark Cuban made a fast count leading to a rubber match at the TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view which Orton won.
Split from Orton and dissolution (2010)
On the January 11, 2010 episode of Raw, guest host Mike Tyson announced that the winner of a triple threat match later that night between Orton, Kingston, and John Cena would challenge Sheamus for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble. Orton ultimately won with the help of The Legacy, who attacked Cena and Kingston. At the Royal Rumble, Orton failed to win the championship when he was disqualified when Rhodes tried to interfere. After the match, Orton attacked Rhodes and DiBiase, who attempted to aid Rhodes. On the February 15 episode of Raw, Orton took on Sheamus in a non-title rematch, but was again disqualified after Rhodes and DiBiase interfered. During the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, in which both Orton and DiBiase participated, Rhodes passed a pipe to DiBiase. After DiBiase hit the pipe on Cena's head (while Orton was carried in Attitude Adjustment position), Cena proceeded his finisher to Orton and DiBiase eliminated him. The next night on Raw, The Legacy participated in a six-man tag team match against Kingston, Yoshi Tatsu, and Evan Bourne, designed to show their unity, but Orton attacked Rhodes and DiBiase and the following week on Raw, Rhodes and DiBiase attacked Orton in retaliation, although Orton was able to fight them off. Orton's split from the group was cemented when he lost a handicap match against both Rhodes and DiBiase on Raw and showed increasing signs of becoming a fan favorite. This led to a Triple Threat Match between all three members at WrestleMania XXVI, where Rhodes and DiBiase proclaimed neither minded not winning so long as Orton was pinned, but in the match Orton pinned DiBiase. DiBiase and Rhodes attacked each other during the match, ending the duo, and Rhodes was punted by Orton and taken out of action for approximately a month. The split was confirmed when Rhodes moved to SmackDown brand during the 2010 WWE Supplemental Draft.
Feuding between members (2011)
Rhodes and DiBiase reunited on SmackDown in May 2011. On the August 12 episode of SmackDown Cody Rhodes defeated Ezekiel Jackson to win the Intercontinental Championship for the first time. On the August 19 episode of SmackDown all three members were in the ring for a talking segment and Rhodes acknowledged their Legacy past. A week later, Rhodes attacked DiBiase who had just lost a match to Orton, who was the World Heavyweight Champion at the time.[60] On the September 16 edition of SmackDown, DiBiase disguised himself as a member of the audience by wearing a paper bag - part of Rhodes' gimmick - to allow him to attack Rhodes.[61] This led to DiBiase unsuccessfully challenging Rhodes for the Intercontinental Championship at Night of Champions. On the September 23 episode of SmackDown, the feud between Orton and Rhodes was reignited when Orton cut open Rhodes' head with the timekeeper's bell resulting in nine stitches. The feud continued when Rhodes prevented Orton from winning his match against Mark Henry and then proceeded to humiliate Orton by putting a paper bag over his head. This resulted in a match at Vengeance, in which Orton won and a Street Fight on SmackDown which was when Orton took Rhodes' facial mask off, ending that part of his character.
In wrestling
Orton's finishing moves
RKO (Jumping cutter)
Running punt to an opponent's head
Running punt to an opponent's head
DiBiase's finishing moves
Cobra clutch legsweep
Dream Street (Cobra clutch slam)
Dream Street (Cobra clutch slam)
Rhodes' finishing moves
Cross Rhodes (Rolling cutter)
The Silver Spoon DDT[70] (DDT)
The Silver Spoon DDT[70] (DDT)
Entrance themes
"Voices" by Rich Luzzi and Jim Johnston
"Priceless (remix)" by Jim Johnston (January 2009 – May 2009; Rhodes and DiBiase)
"It's a New Day" by Adelitas Way (June 2009 - March 2010; Rhodes and DiBiase)
"Priceless (remix)" by Jim Johnston (January 2009 – May 2009; Rhodes and DiBiase)
"It's a New Day" by Adelitas Way (June 2009 - March 2010; Rhodes and DiBiase)
Championships and accomplishments
WWE Championship (3 times) – Orton
Royal Rumble (2009) – Orton
WWE World Tag Team Championship (2 times)-Rhodes and DiBiase.
Royal Rumble (2009) – Orton
WWE World Tag Team Championship (2 times)-Rhodes and DiBiase.