WWE® Superstar Randy Orton® To Attend Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con on Friday, March 22

Hometown St. Louis Hero Joins Top Celebrities Stan Lee, Dean Cain, Billy Dee Williams And James Marsters At Inaugural “Gateway To The West” Pop Culture Festival At America's Center

NEW YORK and ST. LOUIS, January 16, 2013 – It will be a homecoming for St. Louis native WWE® Superstar Randy Orton® when he attends 2013 Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con on Friday, March 22, at America's Center.  Orton will meet fans, sign autographs and pose for photo-ops in a two-hour appearance from 5:30-7:30p.m.

Orton, who earned the distinction of being the youngest World Heavyweight Champion in WWE history, saw his star rise when he won the World Heavyweight Championship at the unprecedented age of 24.  Today the WWE’s “Apex Predator” is known as one of the very best inside the ring and he is appreciated for his work by fans and peers alike.

The son of WWE Hall of Famer “Cowboy” Bob Orton, nephew of Barry “Barry O” Orton and grandson of “The Big O” Bob Orton, Randy comes from a distinctive bloodline.  He is one of the only third-generation Superstars in WWE history, and can be seen every week on Syfy’s most watched program, Friday Night SmackDown at 8/7c.

“I have great memories of growing up in St. Louis, so this will be a homecoming of sorts for me.  Fans there have supported me for as long as I can remember, and I can't wait to see them at my first Wizard show,”said Orton.

Wizard World CEO John Macaluso adds, “Randy is a decorated champion and one of the elite WWE Superstars of his generation. We are incredibly excited to bring Randy out to see his hometown fans.”

Orton joins popular Wizard World celebrity guests Stan Lee, Dean Cain, Billy Dee Williams, James Marsters and Ernie Hudson among the celebrity roster headliners at Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con.  They will be joined by a top-drawer collection of well-known artists and writers and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions in the second event on Wizard World's expanded 2013 calendar.

Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.  Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con show hours are Friday, March 22, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, March 23, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 24, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more on the 2013 Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-stlouis.html.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.