Randy Orton Sends a Message to Cody Rhodes During WWE SmackDown

Randy Orton was not on this week’s SmackDown but had his eye on the show. The Viper especially watched the Cody Rhodes promo from SmackDown. During the segment, Rhodes held up a picture displaying his bruised face resulting from Orton’s devastating Punt Kick at WrestleMania 42, declaring that he still won the match. Orton offered a chilling response, asking if he really won or not.

Randy Orton’s question was more of a psychological war between the rivals, pointing out that even in victory, Rhodes was left with the most pain. Before he asked the two-word question, he silently laughed at the black-and-white picture of Cody with a bruised eye, as it looked scary but hilarious from that angle.

After that Mania match in April, their rivalry reignited when Randy Orton made a surprise return at SummerSlam 2026 in August, launching a brutal attack on Rhodes that cost him the Undisputed WWE Championship. Orton went on to defeat Rhodes in his hometown of Atlanta at Sunday Night’s Main Event, tying up their series. Now, the bitter feud will be settled in a rubber match at WWE Crown Jewel 2026 under Last Man Standing rules.

Cody Rhodes apologized to Randy Orton

Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton’s deep-rooted personal rivalry could potentially come to an end next week. A promo that is leading up to it saw Cody opening the recent SmackDown episode, issuing a public apology to Orton’s family and fans.

That apology was for the destruction he intends to unleash in their upcoming Last Man Standing match at Crown Jewel on November 7. His unhinged side was unleashed recently after sending a message by punting Baron Corbin and promising that Orton has a costly receipt coming too. Rhodes vows to use The Viper’s own Punt Kick against him in Riyadh, promising to bankrupt Orton physically and emotionally.

Whoever wins the Last Man Standing match will become the No. 1 contender for the Undisputed WWE Championship, currently held by Sami Zayn.

Edited by Divesh Merani