A current AEW champion, Kyle Fletcher, recently addressed the frequent comparisons made between him and WWE star Randy Orton. Fletcher spoke candidly about the resemblance and explained how he has worked to create his own identity after undergoing a dramatic transformation.
Kyle Fletcher’s Transformation Sparks Randy Orton Comparisons
Over the past year, Kyle Fletcher, previously known as The Protostar, has undergone significant changes in both appearance and character. After betraying his former ally Will Ospreay, Fletcher shaved his head, which resulted in many drawing parallels between him and Randy Orton, given their similar looks. Fletcher responded to these comparisons during an interview on The Masked Man Show, revealing that his intention behind shaving his head was to distinguish himself.
“I think when I did the head shave and the character change, whatever you want to call it, it was like, okay, I have to make my look stand out. I have to change things up from what I was doing before. And then trunks was the idea. I’ll change the jacket. I’ll put the entrance pants. I’ll do whatever.” —Kyle Fletcher
Fletcher acknowledged that as the comparisons to Orton escalated, he felt the need to separate his persona further to avoid being seen as a copy. This led him to adopt pink attire, helping him carve out a unique presence in the wrestling world.
“And then that’s when I started getting the Randy Orton (comparisons). And I was like, okay, that’s a nice comparison, but I never want to be a copy of someone else. I want to be my own person. So then it was, from there, how do we change things to become a little bit more unique? And then organically, I ended up with the pink and the pink has stuck. And then everything kind of just evolves. So yeah, it evolved very naturally into what it is today.” —Kyle Fletcher [H/T WrestlePurists]
Myles Borne Embraces the Randy Orton Legacy
Another wrestler frequently linked to Randy Orton is Myles Borne, who has been nicknamed “Baby Randy” due to his striking resemblance to The Viper. Unlike Fletcher, Borne has leaned into this comparison by mimicking some of Orton’s iconic moves and mannerisms inside the ring. In a recent NXT segment, Borne recreated one of Orton’s famous backstage attacks—turning off the lights before ambushing Lexis King. This moment echoed Orton’s pandemic-era return as the Legend Killer, during which he used night vision goggles and darkness to attack multiple wrestling veterans, including Big Show and Ric Flair.
While Borne embraces the Randy Orton connection, Kyle Fletcher’s efforts to establish his own unique identity highlight his determination to be recognized on his own terms in AEW, the promotion where he is currently a champion.
The Importance of Individuality in Today’s Wrestling Landscape
Fletcher’s decision to distance himself from the Randy Orton comparison reflects a broader challenge faced by wrestlers who find themselves compared to established superstars. By creating a distinctive look and persona, Fletcher demonstrates the value of originality in maintaining longevity and personal success in professional wrestling. His evolution shows that while comparisons may be inevitable, fostering a unique character can help a wrestler forge a separate path and resonate with fans as an individual talent.
