Steve Austin and "The Viper" Randy Orton come face-to-face in a no-holds-barred interview covering the life, legacy and defining moments of Orton's legendary career thus far.

• Steve Austin introduces the 14-time World Champion to the program with Randy being happy to be here and wondering why they have it cut it up much ever together. Randy figured that Austin wasn’t fond of him, but it had to do with the timing of Steve leaving and Orton entering the company.

• The two cheers over a Broken Skull IPA.

• Randy is very happy and in a good place in life. The most important aspect to him to ensure his wife and kids are doing well.

• Steve has always been a big fan of Randy’s work along with his father’s work. While Austin enjoyed his promos, he believes they are full of draggers now and the best work of his entire career. Randy agreed and felt he always concentrated on the in-ring work while neglecting his promos since they were mediocre. One of the reasons Randy felt Steve wasn’t too fond of him was the fact Austin would criticize his promos, but it was accurate. Michael Hayes approached Randy and noted that many of the greatest Hall of Famers were good in the ring, but great on promos. Randy was in the mix, but Hayes how it odd how Randy was weak in the promo department and put in more work.

• Randy relied on his athletic ability to compensate for his average promo skills and he was somewhat embarrassed to realize it took so long for him to piece it all together. The story that is told throughout a wrestling storyline is so crucial to the execution of the story. The moment where it all came together was against Edge last year since Randy tapped into real emotions and moments while dialling it up.

• Steve felt that several moments ago, Randy stole the show on Raw against Jeff Hardy while also dismantling several legends.

• Steve replays a backstage segment between Randy and Mark Henry. The Viper would belittle Mark Henry, as the two put over their love and respect for The World’s Strongest Man. Randy’s delivery now has a bite that was previously absent.

• Steve asks Randy about being a third-generation wrestler and it’s something that Orton doesn’t often discuss the topic on camera. Early on, he wasn’t a wrestling fan. Wrestling was really something Randy’s dad just did for a living and it wasn’t until high school where the love for the business took over. Randy didn’t have the confidence to follow in Bob’s footsteps.

• Randy had no ambition to go to college while a respectful amateur wrestler, he joked he wasn’t a Bobby Lashley or Kurt Angle.

• Randy would briefly discuss being discharged from the marines after going AWOL on two occasions and disobeying an order from a commanding officer.

• At 19, he was living in his parent’s basement and working at a gas station. This is when he asked his dad if it were possible to follow in his footsteps. Bob suspected he was blackballed from New York, but it turns out many of the old-timers in the WWE front office loved and respected him.

• WWE flew Randy up to Stamford in October of 1999 where he learned how to lockup with Dr. Tom Prichard. Bruce would contact Bob to let him know that Randy would be offered a developmental deal. Randy admits he was handed this.

• Fast forward several months later and Randy is in OVW with Brock Lesnar, John Cena, Brock Lesnar, Dave Batista and Shelton Benjamin.

• When Randy first showed up, it was Dave Batista who opened the door. All of the participants were All-Americans or lived and breathed wrestling, but Randy was simply handed the opportunity. He went from barely being able to throw a dropkick to being quickly called up.

• Randy shared a story where he was riding with Brock Lesnar after a show and Brock would laugh and say, “Can you believe we actually get paid to do this?” Randy felt the same way and had a fire lit under him.

• Steve brought up watching old OVW footage and how Randy had the mechanics nailed down very quickly. Randy agreed and noted that once a lightbulb went off and he understood the basic formula, it was all about filling in the blanks. It was Triple H and Ric Flair that elevated him to a new level of learning. Randy noted how it was the small nuances that Triple H and Ric Flair taught him, which made him more believable. Outside of the ring, it was how to carry yourself.

• Steve and Randy brought up their mutual love for Ric Flair while Austin asking if he’s the GOAT in Orton’s eyes. Randy agreed but feels many are tied for that position.

• Footage is shown from March of 2002 with Randy facing The Undertaker. They show Undertaker taking a hip toss, huge backdrop and clothesline over the top rope. It shows how giving Taker was yet the footage was edited out from the match. For whatever reason, Taker saw something in Randy and was very giving. When getting back to Gorilla, Vince was upset with Undertaker for being far too generous. Taker’s retort was, “Aren’t we trying to get guys over?”

• The focus is turned to how Evolution got started. Randy brought up a story of being in a Figure-Four and really selling it in order to gain Triple H’s attention. It worked as the idea was pitched with Randy involved. Orton noted how Ric was basically his road dad.

• Ric was more about having fun while Triple H was obsessed with discussing the business. That said, Ric had it all figured out. Randy put over Triple H as possessing a great mind since he often produces backstage at Raw.

• Randy’s father would stay out unless directly asked, but was always very upfront with his son. Randy brought up how he happily gives back to his parents financially and wants to make them proud.

• Steve asked if Randy and the guys from Evolution received heat from the locker room for such a golden opportunity. Back then, Randy noted there was some resentment even though he loves the guys he received it from, but any of them would take that opportunity.

• Steve then asked about the origins of the RKO. “It took on a mind of its own” Randy would respond with. Orton put over the creativeness of his opponents who thought of new ways to tale the move. There was the Diamond Cutter from DDP and the Ace Crusher from John Laurinaitis. Originally, Randy was using a finisher called the Overdrive, which was hurting his shoulder. John Laurinaitis suggested that Randy use the Ace Crusher, which Randy was grateful for since he could execute it from anywhere. The first time he used it once against Shane Helms and the name RKO (his initials) was a play on TKO, which Vince liked.

• Stone Cold pointed out how the RKO has worked wonders but is the Stunner or RKO more effective? A montage of both is shown.

• The two banter about the infamous Evan Bourne RKO where the Shooting Star Press was reversed. Randy would note it was all Evan since he barely had to get up off the mat to execute it.

• Steve whips out a bottle of Jack Daniels, the same bottle that he and Undertaker started. Randy and Austin both take a shot.

• The Legend Killer gimmick was brought up, but Randy was unsure where it started other than Mick Foley was the man who really put it over. Harley Race is also brought up and incredible respect that both Steve and Randy have him. This all allowed Randy to have a full identity as he was no longer just a third-generation wrestler.

• Footage from Backlash on April 18, 2004, featuring Randy vs Mick Foley is shown. Steve believes this match altered the way people viewed Randy. The two watch clips of the match with Steve putting over the action along with the way Mick will throw that last kick attempt despite being pinned. Randy agrees and states no one does that anymore. Steve believed this match elevated him with Randy confirming that the buzz was real and he needed this.

• Steve brings up how Randy was the youngest World Heavyweight Champion ever at 24, while any mention or footage featuring Chris Benoit is understandably ignored. This moment meant a lot to him as he sat quietly processing everything in the Air Canada Centre locker room while all the other wrestlers left. When asked if he was ready for it, Randy would openly admit, “Not at all!.”

• At the time, Randy felt he had to completely change when forced to turn babyface, but in reality, you need to stay true to yourself and it’s more about the little nuances and facial reactions as opposed to a dramatic change in personality.

• As attention moved to Batista, Randy would eventually be paired with The Undertaker at WrestleMania 21. Randy pointed out that this was in 2005, which is where his self-destruction started and lasted until 2007. Working with Taker during this period would be one of Randy’s do-overs in life. Saturday morning was the rehearsal and the night prior, Randy partied and no-showed. Bob Orton, Undertaker, Ricky Steamboat, Johnny Ace and Michael Hayes were all left waiting. By the time Randy made it down to the practice ring, they all left and were clearly disappointed. Randy was uncomfortable discussing this since it’s embarrassing to him. Also, he inducted his father into the Hall of Fame that evening, did not prepare and felt he shortchanged Bob’s induction. This was an all-time low and considers himself blessed for not being released.

• At WrestleMania 22, Randy would face Kurt Angle and Rey Mysterio, but find himself suspended for 60 days only a few days later. There is no family-friendly version of what transpired. Randy was in a terrible spot and further screwed while being away. Despite getting help, he did not escape the funk until mid-2007 after working with Edge and Cena.

• Steve turns to Rated RKO and praises their chemistry. By this point, Randy was just starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Edge acted as a big brother to him during this period.

• In the Summer of 2008, Randy was recovering from a collarbone injury but reinjured himself in a motorcycle crash.

• Randy considers himself very in-tune with his body and activates different areas through stretching and repetition, but doesn’t consider himself to be a body guy. At 40, he wants to wrestle another decade if he can.

• After taking another shot where Randy led a toast to body guys who can work, which popped Austin, the conversation turns to Christian. This would help make 2011 one of Randy’s best years. Randy would bring up how 2009, 2011 and 2020 were his three best years. Randy would put over Christian as one of the best minds creatively on how to figure it out and execute. There were things with Christian that hasn’t done before or since. Steve would bring their attention to the SummerSlam 2011 match between Christian and Randy, which is one of Stone Cold’s favourite Orton matches.

• After the two re-live the match and discuss psychology along with trusting your instincts, Randy grabs the Jack Daniels bottle to pour a shot for the two in celebration of his abs from that match. Stone Cold also toasts to Christian, who is “A hell of an opponent and a great guy.” Stone Cold explained the origin of the What? chant and how it stemmed from a voice mail he left Christian.

• Steve turned to John Cena since they share such a rich history together. Randy learned a lot from John and was the person who got him to realize that listening to the crowd is everything. Orton noted that there was a sense of ease when it came to working with John.

• Steve was curious about a moment during the TLC match in 2013 where Randy was about to grab the titles, but looked down at John and hesitated for 5-8 seconds. Randy points out how that face time is more important than anything else you could be doing. “I’m in control 110%.” He learned that face time is money from day one with Vince.

• They fast-forward to 2020 with Edge returning, which Stone Cold puts over as an incredible moment and Randy agrees. Around this time, Randy’s promos started to jump off the charts in terms of quality. Footage from March 2020 on Raw is shown with Randy cutting a promo with Beth Phoenix in the ring. Randy shared how he got on one knee and shared with Vince his idea for the promo, which The Chairman agreed with and encouraged him to go speak from the heart. When getting back to Gorilla, Vince would remove his headset, shake Randy’s hand and give him a hug and said, “That was your Oscar moment.” This was validation for Randy where he felt knighted.

• Randy would point out where he needed that criticism from Stone Cold over a decade prior to delivering better promos.

• The Last Man Standing Match at WrestleMania took place at the beginning of the Pandemic without any fans. Fortunately, they weren’t in the middle of the ring like most of the other matches.

• For their “Greatest Match Ever” Vince proposed piping in crowd noise, which freaked both Edge and Randy out. They received all the bells and whistles, but ultimately, the crowd noise helped the product.

• Stone Cold pointed out how the Greatest Match Ever gimmick booked the two into the corner, which Randy wholeheartedly agreed with and felt it was a stressful position to be in. In the end, this was one of Randy’s all-time favourite matches that he’s ever been in. Given the uphill battle they faced, the two felt they delivered a high-quality match. There was a sense of pride performing in front of the NXT talent. “Let’s show them how it’s supposed to be done.” Orton would point out how he considers Edge to be one of the individuals tied at that GOAT status.

• Steve asked about Drew, which Randy admitted, “I had no interest in being in there with him.” McIntyre eventually grew on him. Drew loves the business and he has a very good heart. “He’s good in my books.”

• The Hell in a Cell with Drew was the eighth time that Randy stepped into the structure. Orton praised Drew for rapidly improving over the past year and how he’s a student of the game.

• The 14 title reigns mean a lot to Randy. “Say what you want when it comes to me, but that’s real to me, damnit.”

• Steve: “You’ve always been mechanical in the ring and psychological when it comes to taking people on a road, but are you enjoying it?” Randy admitted there were periods of his career where he was going through the motions, but he has a newfound respect for the business. He acknowledged how his dad paved the way for him and it’s now time for him to give back. Drew was an example of passing these tidbits of info to a deserving person.

• Randy doesn’t ever see a point in time where he’s not involved with the business and specifically WWE.

• In terms of his legacy, he hopes that one day, someone can sit where he is with Stone Cold and point out, “Randy helped set the light bulb off for me.” The same way Undertaker was so giving to him all those years ago, it’s his goal to be that for others.

• Randy’s words of advice to younger talent: “Find that confidence. Find that way to look in the mirror and believe in yourself.” Ultimately, trust your instincts.

Given his vast talent and accomplishments coupled with his multiple ups and downs, this was undoubtedly one of the best Broken Skull Sessions episodes to date.