WWE Superstar and sure fire hall of famer in his own right Randy Orton recently spoke to WWE regarding ‘The Animal’ Batista entering the HOF next year.

“I thought it was great news, Dave deserves it,” Orton regarding the recent Hall of Fame announcement. “I’ve known him for 20 years. He was the first guy that I ever ran into when I reported down to Louisville, Kentucky for developmental, back when I was 19 years old, and I remember seeing this 350 pound jacked-up… man and as just thinking to myself, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’

“And of course after that was Evolution, and I saw Dave grow. We became friends, we’ve traveled the world together, and my hat’s off to the man. I can’t wait to hear his speech, I know it’ll be heartfelt. He’s always been good to me, and I look forward to seeing him on that special day.”

Orton also discussed if Batista has changed at all in all of the years that he has known him. Batista of course has been appearing in major motion pictures including with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

“Yeah, Dave hasn’t changed,” Orton stated. “He’s always been the big teddy bear, for lack of a better word. I’ve seen so many people grow in this business, and he’s one of the guys that I’ve gotten the pleasure of watching grow for the longest. From early days in OVW to becoming a Hollywood movie star. I’ve watched all his movies, you know, and he’s got every bit of support from me that I can offer him. I’m very proud of him.”

*Credit to WrestlingINC for the transcription