Post by Kammy on Aug 3, 2011 23:40:07 GMT -5
This month's Mind Behind goes deeper into finding out who "The Viper" Randy Orton really is. He has played many characters. but only one strives on for success. He is the World Heavyweight Champion, and worked hard to be just that.
Who or what got you interested in the world of E-Feds?
Well, actually I was informed about a role playing website called “NHBWO”, when I was apart of this wrestling figures forum called Figureslam Wrestling. I had never seen a concept like this, role playing as a professional wrestler, it definitely opened new doors towards my writing skills. I won’t deny it, I had a rough time adjusting to the style, I can remember for about the first three or four months I was struggling. But, with struggle comes perseverance, and that’s exactly what happened. It’s crazy to imagine this as well, I started role playing basically when I was 13 years old.
Do you remember your first match/experience?
Yes, I do. Thanks to the old Role Playing Archives on this site I was able to remember my first match ever role playing. It was January 14, 2006, which so happened to be my 13th birthday. Under my Randy Orton character, I took on “The Animal” Batista, I can say that much. I honestly forgot the match result but I can assure you I have a good feeling I did not win the match due to my beginnings.
What is the driving force behind your role-plays and where do you come up with your ideas?
Anything in the media, really. Most of the times I would truly spend a couple minutes out of my day and think of a concept for a role play. Once I established this concept, I begin writing and all the ideas begin to come across. Lately, people have noticed I’ve been adding explicit details to my role plays, one of the reasons why I am definitely on the top of my game right now. It could be the current emotions you feel, whatever you feel like needs to be written, it might turn out to be a great RP.
How did you come up with the idea to play Randy Orton?
I truly do not know. During late 2005 – early 2006, Randy Orton was my favourite wrestler in the WWE. I guess that was the significant factor into picking that character. Plus, I always thought being in the mind state of Randy Orton would be cool. Especially after he switched to “The Viper” gimmick around late 2008 – early 2009. It would be this gimmick that found me the most success so far in SNME. Personally, the gimmick change was needed. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed being the cocky, arrogant son of a bitch that everyone despises, with that you can’t really add dimensions to that character. People are only going to refer to you as that over confident guy with no story to his history. When I switched to “The Viper” gimmick in SNME around 2009, I truly felt that I was undergoing a life change in my character, I could express the true feelings from my character, from my point of view.
What has been your most memorable feud?
The feud I had with Triple H which eventually culminated in where I threw him off a scaffold was an amazing build-up to a rivalry. Also, any time I got to work with HBK was some very memorable stuff especially since we go all the way back to the earliest days of SNME when it just first opened in 2006. Definitely my feuds with Sting and CM Punk respectively garnered attention from people that I was force not to mess with.
What are some things you really like about E-Wrestling?
The opportunity to express your ideas and concepts. It’s a great feeling. It really helps you when it comes to your writing skills as well. There have been countless amounts of papers for school where I felt like e-wrestling definitely give me a great advantage when it comes to my writing skills.
What about things you dislike?
The role play deadlines... I always hated them for some reason because once I have the opportunity to work on my role play, I was always have thoughts in my mind where there’s a possibility I’m not going to get my role play in on time. Also, the people who are just obsessed with their characters that they actually feel like their character in real life. It’s weird, once they start writing like that wrestler; they believe in their mind, they are that wrestler. I’m not going to take anything away from those people, it’s pretty cool to have the same mind set as a certain wrestler, but to take it as far as obsessively thinking and emulating that wrestler, you know you have taken things too far.
Do you prefer working as a heel, face, or neutral?
Definitely heel, it’s my calling to write as a heel character. I’ve had my numerous occasions where I’ve worked under being a face (ex. Randy Orton back in 2007, Booker T) But, I’ve just feel like my writing skills felt flat when I took the alignment of being face. If I can recall, I don’t think I’ve played a tweener before, definitely an alignment I want to try before retiring from role playing. The thing with playing a heel, it is very easy to generate heat through your RP’s. The words and actions that you perform really speaks volumes to your character. With the Randy Orton character, I’ve taken a cocky good-looking guy and transformed him into a vicious, unrelenting animal who does nothing but harm his opponents.
In a RP what do you mainly focus: Character Development, talking trash about your opponents, or deep detail? And why is that?
In my opinion, it’s all about making everything equal. None is predominant over the other, back then I was usually just focus on talking trash about my opponent, I soon realized this wasn’t getting me anywhere, I was winning matches, but a lot of people saw more in me, they knew I could capitalize better if I added more detail to my RP’s. That’s exactly what I did, ever since the resurgence of SNME, I’ve been putting thorough detail into my RP’s, I’ve found much success with this way now, I’ve been undefeated in SNME for about two months and a half now. Just goes to show if you spend time and put that detail into your RP, you can end up making a masterpiece.
Will we ever see the return of Booker T or Hafiz?
I wouldn’t mind seeing Booker T return in a role of a backstage interviewer or hell even a commentator, haha. As for Hafiz, I definitely would love to play the role of Hafiz one more time, he was definitely a character that I had a fun time writing, I was doing great things with that gimmick before SNME closed down. He was the SNME Tennessee World Heavyweight Champion, SNME World Tag Team Champion, and also Custom Champion. All in about four or five months in SNME. Those are amazing accomplishments for a short amount of time. So don’t be surprised if we see the return of Hafiz perhaps at the end of the year or maybe in 2012. Who knows?
How do you keep up with your personal life and your E-fed life?
It’s not too bad. I always make sure that I have time to role play, but with having an E-fed life, comes great responsibility in my personal life. I just finished high school this year and I’m expecting to come back for a semester before taking the rest of the year off and work. At the moment, I’m going to find it easier to role play but I can imagine in the coming months, I’m going to be occupied with various stuff such as University enrolment, finding a job, etc. Overall, it’s all about time management and I’ve used it wisely so far, it makes keeping up with things easier.
What is your motivation to continue churning out all of these roleplays?
To show all the people who did not believe I would be World Champ, plus it’s always fun to create a new idea every week and make it into written form. This E-Fed is like an addiction, you can’t get enough of it, every time you stop taking it, you become anxious and want to relieve it once again.
How do you like the Out Of Character atmosphere?
Pretty good, can’t complain. I’m an above average student when it comes to grades, I have a lot of friends who know I’m an out-going and laid-back guy. I just wish the dating scene would be a bit better for me, but that’s a whole different story. It’s all good though, I can get some pie anytime I want., haha.. I mean, I’m a pretty good looking guy after all.
What is your favorite roleplay that you have written in your time with SNME?
To be honest, this might sound like I’m cheating, but one of my current favourite roleplay that I’ve written was the “End Of The Road” RP that I wrote for Rumble In The Jungle 2011. Knowing that RP was the winning RP to help me gain is just a feeling that I can’t describe. Also, one of my favourite role plays that I remember writing was my RP against Mr. Kennedy for the Intercontinental Championship at Rumble In The Jungle 2007, I remember now SNME Alumni Chris Jericho personal messaging me weeks before the PPV, he was telling me how I was losing steam, my RP’s were always tedious and repetitive, at the rate I was going, I would never become a Champion. With his motivation, it led me to write one of my best RP’s pre-Viper era. I won my match against Kennedy and became SNME Intercontinental Champion, it was a great time for myself. I had proven back then I had what it takes to be in the Upper Mid-Card – Main Event area.
How does it feel to hold the World Heavyweight Championship once again?
It’s an amazing feeling man. After working hard to gain that title, it felt worth it. I’ve been pushing myself for five years to have the opportunity to hold that title. I’ve had countless amounts of opportunities fighting for the title, but I would usually fall short and lose the match. Knowing that I am the World Heavyweight Champion proves that I am the best SNME has to offer, I am on top of the so called “ladder” in SNME. I’m happy to know after all that I’ve been through, I finally have the opportunity to have a proper reign with the title.
What has been your best and worst e-wrestling experiences?
I would say my best experience was having the opportunity to feud with a lot of top people back in the classic SNME days, guys like Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Batista, “Y2J” Chris Jericho, Sting. The list goes on, and also currently because I have never been on such a great roll than I have ever. My worst experience would be during early 2008 when I made my comeback to SNME after a 4-5 months break, I remember probably what most can call my worst RP up to date excluding my debut RP’s, the RP title was entitled “The Art Of Storytelling” it was for the Behind Bars 2008 PPV, I was against Raven, I remember during that week I had no solid concepts for an RP idea. With making my RP at the last minute, I included what I believed to be one of the worst and shocking endings to an RP, I punted a woman in the head and I killed her. I honestly had no idea why I wrote it, I thought it would show the sheer intensity Orton had, but I’m pretty sure Orton would never go over the line with that. Do I regret including an ending in an RP like that? You bet your ass off I do.
Have you set any goals for your character and if so, how close are you to having achieved them?
I can strike off being SNME World Heavyweight Champion off the list. I actually would love to become a SNME Grand Slam Champion, I don’t recall anyone accomplishing a goal like this. I’m already a current World Champ, a former IC Champ, that would only mean I need to win the SNME World Tag Team Championship and the Custom Championship somehow. Hey, it’s SNME. Anything can happen.
Is there anyone in particular that you would like to feud with in the future?
At the moment? Justin Tyger, he’s on the top of my list of people I would love to feud with in the future. We’ve been through a lot and I think especially after Seven Deadly Sins, we need another match against each other one on one. Someone I would REALLY love to feud with is Kammy. I know that she’s retired now but just think about it... Randy Orton vs. Kammy for the SNME World Heavyweight Championship. It’s a main event like no other, I’d love to see a match like this where basically anything could happen. The build-up for Orton vs. Kammy would be a build-up we haven’t seen before.
Have you ever felt under-appreciated or not worthy of being in the main event?
Sometimes I’ve felt that way. A lot of times I’ve felt that I certainly do not belong in the main event. When recalling back, for sure I would say my early years around 2006-2007, I definitely did not belong in the main event. I was just there at the right place and right time. I have no idea how I was able to become as popular as I was back then. Right now, anywhere from 2009 until now, I feel like I truly belong in the main event. It was during this time period, my RP’s started to drastically improve for the better, and I had more confidence in my RP’s. Now, I’ve finally reached the pinnacle in my RP’ing career where I wanted it to be, the SNME World Heavyweight Champion, I wish I had reached this status years ago, but I’m not complaining. Patience is a virtue.
Are there any Characters no longer active in SNME that you would have liked to feud with?
I would have loved to feud with Triple H one more time. Knowing that I’m at my best right now, and he is basically one of the best would have made a very interesting match-up. Also, I would have loved to feud with Kurt Angle, SNME’s longest World Heavyweight Champion, the material that guy was posting was out of this world, it would be RP’s on a whole new different level. Just thinking about the possibility of feuding with him always makes me ponder who would win... “The Wrestling Machine” or “The Viper”?
Who do you think the Top 5 roleplayers are currently and why?
Raven – Raven is in my top 5 because every role play he makes, it’s always significant and makes a huge impact when it comes to his storyline. The way he thoroughly describes the scenery and the overall setting of the RP is unprecedented. Personally, he’s been one of the role players I always have a good challenge up against.
Justin Tyger – The same like Raven, the way he describes the setting in his RP is remarkable. The heart he puts into his role plays, the inspiration that he uses, is truly something that some people lack of. Definitely a great nominee for SNME Hall Of Fame in the future. The man with the gimmicks, he’s done it all. 5 different gimmicks, no one can deny that this man is the man of the gimmicks. This list of gimmicks he has done includes; Justin Tyger, Antonio Thomas, Dusty Rhodes, Bob Orton Jr., and Cameron.
Seth Akira – This guy always make people invested in his RP. And what can I say? The way he writes his RP really makes everyone think of their atmosphere and society. His stories and back stories how he makes allusions to past events is phenomenal. Amazing role player whose been around for as long as I’ve been in SNME.
Alberto Del Rio – If there’s a certain member that has impressed me ever since developing their character, it’s Alberto Del Rio. You can feel the cockiness, the arrogance, the sheer destiny that he proclaims to have in all of his RP’s. Definitely a main event player in the future, I would definitely love to work with him if my character decides to turn babyface or tweener.
Zack Ryder – He brings it with all his RP’s. He is the epitome of a character that the fans react to. Very hard-working and he deserved the IC Title when he won it.
What do you hope to have accomplished by this time next year?
If it’s possible, continuing to be SNME World Heavyweight Champion. If not, at least remaining in the title scene would be great. I wouldn’t mind becoming a two time SNME Intercontinental Champion as well, never say never. Bringing back the Hafiz Abdurehman character is something I definitely want to plan happening within the next year.
Do you see yourself retiring from SNME anytime soon?
Yes, unfortunately I do, within this time next year I think I’ll be beginning to consider retirement from role playing as I’ll be going into my sixth year as a role player come January 2012. I believe the latest time you’ll see me retiring from SNME is going to be sometime in 2012. That’s why I’m going to make the rest of my run the most memorable and impactful run any SNME Superstar has ever had.
What would be your dream match and who would be in it?
I actually have two dream matches that I would love to take part in. The first being a Triple Threat, 3 stages of hell match against “HBK” Shawn Michaels and Raven. The first stage being a regular straight-up wrestling match. The next stage would be No Holds Barred match to make things a bit more extreme. And if we need to decide one clear winner, the last stage would be a Hell In A Cell match, the brutality speaks for itself. That would be an amazing dream match when it comes to that. We three are basically the only NHBWO boys left and three of the people of the select view during the early SNME days. My other dream match would be 60 minute Iron Man Match against “Soulfire” Justin Tyger. I feel like honoured stepping into the ring with this man every time I have the chance to. Now, if we add a timer to the match where the person who gets the most falls within the 60 minute time limit, it would be something extraordinary.
Any last thoughts about any other roleplayers?
Justin Tyger – You’re one of my greatest pals here on the site. You also seem to be the one I connect with the most, we’ve basically been here since the beginning and I’m proud to say you’re an amazing friend out of character haha.
“HBK” Shawn Michaels – I thank you deeply for giving me the opportunity for letting me shine and not giving up on me. I felt like a lot of people gave up on me in SNME, but you were always there and told me not to give up on my goals. And I eventually reached those goals, you’re a cool and out-going guy who definitely knows how to run an E-Fed. And I’m glad I got to choose your E-fed over the thousands of E-Fed on the web.
Raven – Probably the person I’ve known the longest here on the site, you’re an amazing role player and you definitely gave great advice to the people who you thought needed it. I’m glad you got yourself a role in this site where you can still be able to be active. My hats goes off to you on the very successful career that you had in SNME. One of SNME greatest superstars.
Kammy – I love how you differentiate yourself from everyone else. You got a personality that no one has, you stand up for yourself and what you believe in. You totally have my respect and keep on doing you haha.
Alberto Del Rio - Really chilled guy. I love how you are really stepping up as a role player, I say you’re going to be truly be a main eventer by the end of the year.
Shelton Benjamin – My fellow black brother! You are definitely a great person to talk to, I love the conversations we’ve had, I want to talk to again man, message me on MSN or PSN.
Zack Ryder – My broski! We had great chats in the chat box for a while, you’re a cool and out-going dude. Take care and spike your hair my friend!
Matt Sydal – I’ve recently been talking to you, but your a good person in my opinion. I love your RP’s and I hope you continue ascending up towards the card.
I’m sorry if I missed anyone else here. To be honest, I like everyone in this e-fed so if you’re not on here I’m pretty sure my comments towards you would be positive.