Backstage Details On What Randy Orton Was Told About Bloody Finish To Summerslam

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that while the finish to Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton at Summerslam was scripted, it was planned in such a way to make it seem like no one would know where the show ended and reality began. WWE officials seemingly wanted people to think Brock Lesnar went into business for himself and went against the script.

Randy Orton had been planning for a regular main event until he arrived at the arena. At that point he was told it wouldn’t be a normal match, as it was intended to make Lesnar look strong. The match was originally set to be a one-sided destruction similar to Summerslam 2014, with Lesnar leaving Orton on the ground bleeding. It would look like Lesnar went off script and really hurt Orton, leading to the confusion and referee stoppage.

Orton was told that Brock knew how to graze him with his elbow to cut him without hurting him. He was also told everything that would happen. In the match itself, Brock ended up hitting him with his elbow harder than planned and added some stiff punches, leading to the amount of blood shown on the broadcast. Orton needed ten staples to close the wound.

Orton did as he was told and acted unconscious while the WWE trainers and referees looked confused. This led to the referee stopping the match due to blood and Orton’s condition.