Randy Orton Pays $2,400 Tuition for Viral Wrestling Impersonator Zy

Randy Orton has made a major impact outside the ring, paying the full $2,400 professional wrestling school tuition for viral social media star Zy. The WWE legend’s generous act allows the aspiring performer, known for his spot-on impersonations, to pursue in-ring training. This news comes as Orton remains deeply entangled in a heated rivalry with Cody Rhodes on SmackDown, a feud that recently altered the course of a key Money in the Bank qualifying match.

Instagram influencer T’Zaih, who goes by Zy, shared the news that Orton covered his entire wrestling school fee. Zy posted a screenshot showing the $2,400 contribution, writing on his Instagram stories, "The Legend Killer just paid for my wrestling school tuition! Was literally wondering how I was gonna pay for it." Zy has built a substantial following with his "Be Like" videos, where he carefully mimics the entrances and mannerisms of stars like Orton, Batista, and Roman Reigns. Orton’s investment directly supports Zy’s training at Test Of Strength Wrestling, turning his social media fame into a tangible step toward a real WWE dream.

The Viper’s current WWE storyline is defined by his conflict with Cody Rhodes. That rivalry reached a boiling point on the October 2 episode of SmackDown. In the final men’s Money in the Bank qualifying match, a Triple Threat featuring Rhodes, Kevin Owens, and Johnny Gargano, Orton intervened at a critical moment. Rhodes had Owens beaten after hitting Cross Rhodes, but Orton pulled the referee from the ring to stop the pin. The chaos allowed Owens to recover and eventually win the match with a Pop-Up Powerbomb, securing the last spot in the ladder match. General Manager Nick Aldis subsequently banned Orton from the arena the following week to prevent further disruption, setting the stage for their scheduled one-on-one clash.

Plans for WrestleMania 42 reportedly looked different earlier this year. According to recently released WWE star Malakai Black, he was the original opponent lined up for Randy Orton at the event, not Cody Rhodes. Black, who returned to WWE last year, said he began working on a special entrance concept with effects artist Jason Baker about four months before the show. The idea involved a smoking jacket with a remotely controlled smoke device for a dramatic visual. While Black did defeat Orton in a singles match on the February 20 SmackDown, the planned WrestleMania program was ultimately scrapped, and Black was later released from the company.

• Randy Orton paid $2,400 for viral impersonator Zy's wrestling school tuition.
• Orton cost Cody Rhodes a Money in the Bank qualifying match on the October 2 SmackDown.
• Kevin Owens won that Triple Threat match to become the final entrant in the ladder match.
• Malakai Black stated he was originally planned to face Orton at WrestleMania 42.