Why Randy Orton's Hardcore Match With Mick Foley Is So Important, Explained
Daniel Foster
Published Mar 27, 2026
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In WWE history, there are few wrestlers who can boast the resume that Randy Orton has. The third generation competitor has achieved a tremendous amount in his over two decade long career. He has held 14 world titles and held classic rivalries with the likes of John Cena, Triple H, The Undertaker, Edge, and countless more. However, his rivalry with Mick Foley in 2004 is one his most underrated and overlooked. At this period in his career, Orton was a member of Evolution and was going by the nickname “The Legend Killer.” The hardcore match between himself and Foley at Backlash 2004 was pivotal in helping to solidify Orton as a major name in WWE.
Mick Foley And Randy Orton Already Had Bad Blood In WWE
Prior to their match at Backlash, Foley had already been feuding with Evolution. At WrestleMania 20, he reunited with The Rock to face Orton, Batista, and Flair. However, The Rock ‘n’ Sock were unsuccessful. The rivalry between Foley and Orton escalated, leading to a No Holds Barred Falls Count Anywhere match with Evolution banned from ringside. In addition, Orton’s Intercontinental Championship was on the line. Foley also channeled one of his Three Faces, Cactus Jack, in order to inflict the most damage possible.
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Randy Orton Vs. Cactus Jack Was One Of The Most Brutal WWE Matches Of All Time
When it came time for the match, Orton approached the ring with his Intercontinental Title around his waist and carrying a trash can full of weapons. One of them included a piece of wood with barbed wire wrapped around it. Cactus Jack then made his way to the ring with a barbed wire wrapped baseball bat. He immediately went into the ring, swinging at Orton. The match had commenced.
Orton grabbed the trash can, attempting to block Jack from hitting him. He chased him around the ring, swinging at Orton with any chance he had. The two brawled on the outside, exchanging brutal shots with one another. Upon returning to the ring, Jack went on the offensive. The fight then went to the outside again, before going back in the ring. Orton tried to use the bat on Jack, but a low blow created some separation. He went to Mr. Socko, but then traded it for the bat, striking Orton with it.
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Jack beat Orton to a bloody pulp with the barbed wire wrapped bat. Blood was pouring down his face. He even went to use gasoline on the bat, but Eric Bischoff stopped it. He then hit Orton with a cookie sheet. Jack wanted to use more barbed wire, so he pulled out a board covered in it. However, Orton prevented Jack from using it. It backfired, with Orton throwing Jack into the barbed wire. Then, Orton introduced thumb tacks, but they backfired on him. Orton tried to RKO Jack into it, but Jack countered it. Orton’s back was covered in tacks.
Jack tried to pin Orton, but he kicked out. Orton went up the ramp, but he was not safe here. Jack threw Orton off the stage, through wooden planks and wires on the bottom. As Jack posed, Orton was attended to by officials. Then, he delivered an elbow drop to Orton, but it still was not enough. The two went back to the ring, where Orton gained the advantage. He struck Foley with the barbed wire bat. As the two continued to brawl, they were a bloody mess. Ultimately, an RKO onto the barbed wire bat allowed Orton to get the three count. He survived the brutal bout with Cactus Jack.
Backlash 2004 And Mick Foley Did A Lot For Randy Orton's Career
This phenomenal and bloody match did a lot for Orton’s career in the long run. Working with an experienced legend, as Foley was, allowed for the match to be as great as it was. It showed that Orton could adapt to any match environment and was versatile with the styles that he could do. It was a true star-making performance for Orton, who only continued to ascend higher and higher in WWE afterward.
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Matches such as the one he had with Foley show why Orton is considered such a legend in professional wrestling. From early in his career, he displayed the sheer amount of character that he possessed necessary to become a major name in WWE. Orton continues to be a major asset to this very day. He has seen countless generations of talent enter WWE and has had great matches with all of them. It is one of Orton’s favorite matches that he’s ever had, particularly because Foley came out of retirement for it. It was a major win for Orton.
