All articles tagged with #randy orton
Cody Rhodes will face Randy Orton in a one-on-one revenge match at WWE Sunday Night Main Event on September 6 in Atlanta, after Orton attacked Rhodes and derailed their SmackDown main event.
WWE's early rundown pins Cody Rhodes to close the August 14 SmackDown in Boston, potentially setting up an Orton-related angle ahead of Money in the Bank; specifics may change before air.
Post-SummerSlam SmackDown leans into its star-studded main event, with CM Punk defending the title as Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton reignite their feud, Kevin Owens staking his claim for a title shot in Toronto, Sami Zayn stirring tension, and Charlotte Flair scoring a win over Jade Cargill aided by a debut moment from Tatum Paxley; Baron Corbin's US title storyline advances toward Carmelo Hayes. The show focused on storytelling and setting up future title battles more than action.
CM Punk acknowledged his SummerSlam win over Cody Rhodes was “dirty” because of Randy Orton’s interference and proposed a fix: Rhodes would be eligible for a rematch at any time, as a crowd of contenders vies for the title, with Orton and Owens positioned for future title opportunities.
Kevin Owens returned at WWE SummerSlam after a little over a year out with a career-threatening neck injury. He revealed on WWE Now that Orton personally connected him with surgeon Dr. Adam Kanter—the same doctor who saved Orton’s career—after Orton’s recommendation. Owens described the serious spinal issues, multiple follow-up scans, and the fusion process, noting he hoped to come back in time for John Cena’s retirement tour for one last match, but that plan did not materialize.
Kevin Owens arrived in Minneapolis for SummerSlam weekend, fueling speculation of a long-awaited in-ring return after neck surgery; Fightful Select reports he’s in town but a match this weekend isn’t confirmed, and WWE is also eyeing Randy Orton’s return as the weekend unfolds, with Cody Rhodes vs. CM Punk headlining the event and Sami Zayn vs Finn Balor serving as a number-one contender match.
Randy Orton could return within a week and be in the SummerSlam main event frame, while Kevin Owens is close to resuming action after a long layoff; WWE allegedly plans to feature Danhausen on all major shows. Additional notes include ongoing or stalled talks with Road Dogg and TNA (with Fightful Select citing ongoing talks for a creative role), Mara Sade remaining a free agent in talks with TNA, a Fightful note that LeBron James’ WWE invite was a PR stunt, and Bray Wyatt’s original plan to lead the Wyatt Sicks before his death, per Joe Gacy.
CM Punk retained the WWE Championship at SummerSlam 2026 after Randy Orton made a surprise return and delivered an RKO to Cody Rhodes following a referee bump, costing Rhodes the title in a dramatic finish.
Oba Femi stunned Brock Lesnar in a Hell in a Cell clash to win SummerSlam 2026 Night 1, with Lesnar later raising Femi’s hand. A surprise return by Randy Orton cost Cody Rhodes the Undisputed WWE Championship to CM Punk, while Liv Morgan defended the Women’s title and Gunther defeated Nick Aldis in other Night 1 results.
Cody Rhodes will open the May 1 episode of SmackDown, addressing the fallout from WrestleMania and Randy Orton’s punt attack while signaling the show's tone for the night; the card also features Ricky Saints’ in-ring debut and a Charlotte Flair vs. Jacy Jayne match, as the championship picture remains in flux.
Wrestling Observer notes that Cody Rhodes’s night-one win over Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42 was decided before the show, with Pat McAfee’s opt‑out and widespread backstage negativity prompting WWE to pivot to a Rhodes vs. Punk angle (potentially for SummerSlam). The chaotic day was likened to WCW, and the piece hints at continuing storylines sparked by the match, all detailed in the Observer’s latest issue available to subscribers.
Pat McAfee announced he’s leaving WWE and heaped praise on Cody Rhodes after Rhodes retained the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42. He detailed a neck injury from Jelly Roll’s splash and an RKO, wearing a neck brace while awaiting scan results, along with other cuts and bruises from the Night 1 Las Vegas main event where Orton attacked Rhodes and Rhodes still won. McAfee suggested the business doesn’t need saving after all, while noting Rhodes’ resilience and Orton’s status.
WWE reportedly planned Randy Orton to defeat Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42, but the finish was altered in the final weeks, resulting in Rhodes retaining the title and a post-match angle used to continue their feud.
Cody Rhodes is sidelined with an orbital injury after WrestleMania 42 when Randy Orton blasted him with a belt and delivered a post‑match punt. Rhodes reportedly isn’t medically cleared, required staples in the back of his head, and there’s no timetable for his return. He was also pulled from WWE World appearances on 4/19 based on the injury report.
A new report says Randy Orton was originally planned to win the Undisputed WWE Championship from Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 42, but those plans were changed in the weeks leading up to the event; Rhodes retained after a bloody match, while Orton delivered the punt. Rhodes then suffered an orbital socket injury, required stitches, and was not cleared to compete Sunday, leaving a potential rematch at Backlash unclear and signaling the feud would continue.