Orton Doesn't Like Dykstra, Jeff Hardy Update, Roberts Fall Off The Wagon, More

During Randy Orton's media blitz of the U.K. last month, Power Slam conducted an interview with him. During the interview, Orton's asked if he thinks any WWE newcomers can beat his record of youngest ever holder of a major WWE singles title. Orton brings up a few names, including Kenny Dykstra. Orton goes off tangent to bring up an incident between the two during a tour in Australia and says that he "never liked him at all." He also brings up Cody Rhodes, as well as Ted DiBiase, and apparently doesn't know DiBiase's age as he'll be turning 26 years old in November. Orton doesn't think either wrestler is heavyweight champion material. Orton said, "I don't know if the business is going to be ready for a Cody Rhodes as champ. I love him, I think he's really great, he's got his own little niche, but I don't see him or Teddy being the heavyweight champion." Here is what Orton said: When you captured the World title aged 24 at SummerSlam 2004, you became the youngest ever holder of a major WWF/WWE singles title. Do you think any of the newcomers will beat your record? "That's a good question. I'm trying to think of the age of everybody. Cody and Teddy are young, right? Kenny Dykstra (who's 22) I knocked him out in Australia, actually one time. He was drinking and thought that he would f–k with me, and I warned him and slapped him so hard in the temple that I knocked him out. I never liked him at all. And everyone always told him, "You're the next Randy Orton." And you know what? F–k that. Make your own name. What does that mean anyway? I slapped the s–t out of Kenny Dykstra. And I don't even know where he is right now. But age-wise, Cody's 23. That's a long way to go (in less than a year). I got very lucky. I was wrestling Edge a lot back then. And I was over as a heel and getting a chance because I was wrestling Edge.... They thought I was over, so they thought, 'Let's give this kid a run.' Plus, Brock Lesnar had been the youngest champ and they didn't like Lesnar (who had left the company in March 2004), so I had a lot of luck in getting that spot. I don't know if the business is going to be ready for a Cody Rhodes as champ. I love him, I think he's really great, he's got his own little niche, but I don't see him or Teddy being the heavyweight champion. I don't know who else is of that age. D.H. Smith (who is 22)? I don't know. Hopefully, no one because, to be honest, I don't want anyone to break my record and I don't think there's any potential right now for anyone to (do so), either."

Washington D.C. television affiliates WTTG (FOX) and WDCA (myNetworkTV) have been running commercials promoting SmackDown star Jeff Hardy's appearance at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, Maryland on Thursday, October 2. He will be signing autographs from 2 to 4 p.m. Here are the appearance details from WWE.com: "Jeff Hardy is coming to the Washington, DC area to help celebrate the move of WWE SmackDown to My20 WDCA-TV, and an exciting new season on MyNetwork TV. See Jeff live at the Westfield Montgomery Mall, along with Tony Perkins and Sue Palka of WTTG FOX 5 News, and D.J. Rico from WPGC 95.5 FM. Test your "WWE-Q" and you could win SmackDown gear, or signed photos from WWE Superstars. Pick-up a wristband at the start of the event for a guaranteed Jeff Hardy autograph."

Earlier this month Jake Roberts made headlines for an intoxicated incident at a wrestling benefit show in Lakewood, Ohio. Jake and his representatives released a statement claiming that a fellow wrestler had slipped a drug in Jake's drink before the show, which was the reason for Jake's outlandish behavior. This week, another independant wrestling promoter who booked Jake a week before the "incident" tells a wild (and sad) story of Jake abusing alcohol, finding then smoking crack cocaine. Thanks to reader Joe White for emailing this in: A local Washington D.C. radio station, DC101, does a morning show called Elliot in the morning (www.eitmonline.com) . They have been all over the Jake Roberts story since it happened. A few days ago they posed the following on their website: Lakewood, Ohio and Firestorm Pro Wrestling are getting all the attention, but it turns out Jake "The Snake" Roberts was just as big a mess (if not bigger) at an Indie Pro Entertainment card the week before in Martinsburg. Josh Morningstar, part-owner of the promotion company, called to tell us exactly what transpired before, during, and after the 9/5 event. Here is the download link for the radio show: https://www.eitmonline.com/eitmonline2/media/eitmlive/8D234ED7562E431D22B15C500A_EITM091708.mp3