Randy Orton opened up about the severe mental health struggles he faced while dealing with an injury a few years back.
“People weren’t really talking about this, but it started weighing on me,” he shared during his appearance on The WWE Superstar said, “What’s your story?” podcast with Stephanie McMahon. “This was after I met my wife, and I have three stepsons and two daughters. I felt overwhelmed… I hesitated to discuss it, but honestly, we’re all human.”
At 45, Orton recalled having a panic attack around the same time he underwent spinal fusion surgery in 2022. He turned to antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications to cope.
He mentioned that these panic attacks made flying and falling asleep very challenging. Many nights, he would find himself wandering around in the garden, taking deep breaths to calm down.
“I was out for about a year and a half, and that’s my identity. This is who I am,” he remarked. “Wrestling is something I’m good at; I’ve gained respect for it, and then suddenly, I couldn’t do it anymore. For six months, I thought that was it.”
Orton experienced the most challenging mental phase during the months before he recognized he could have the surgery that could save his career. He described how his mental toughness seemed to falter during this time.
“When I was younger, I was mentally strong, nothing could really touch me. But as I slipped into a darker place, I started to revert to some old habits,” he reflected. “Luckily, I managed to cut that off quickly.”
With encouragement from his wife, Kim, Orton decided to start medication for his mental health. He admitted, “I don’t enjoy it,” but felt he needed it to stop the panic attacks.
He noted that he had been on medication for six months and has not experienced a panic attack since then.
After his back surgery, Orton made a comeback in November 2023, participating in the Survivor Series.
A third-generation wrestler, he is a 14-time world champion, a two-time Royal Rumble winner, and a Money in the Bank winner.
