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Randy Orton's Victory Over Cody Rhodes Sparks New WWE

2026-09-23 · Randy Orton · Player Focus

Randy Orton is at the center of WWE's current narrative, fresh off a major victory over Cody Rhodes that has ignited a tense new rivalry on SmackDown. The fallout from that match is driving storylines, while the legendary RKO finisher has captured attention far beyond the wrestling ring.

Unaired footage from a recent WWE SmackDown broadcast reveals the intense personal stakes now defining this feud. Following his defeat, Cody Rhodes confronted Randy Orton backstage with a profane and direct promise. Rhodes vowed to get even. This raw exchange suggests the rivalry between The Viper and The American Nightmare will be a defining feature of WWE programming in the coming weeks. The emotional charge from Rhodes guarantees a heated response.

UFC Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre recently attempted to master Randy Orton's iconic finishing move. In a social media clip, the former two-division UFC champion was seen careful breaking down the mechanics of the RKO with a training partner. St-Pierre, known for his technical obsession, gave it his all. His first attempts, however, lacked the fluid, out-of-nowhere execution that Orton has perfected over two decades. Fans were quick to critique the effort, but acknowledged it was an early try. The crossover moment highlights the RKO's status as a globally recognized maneuver, even among combat sports legends.

Former WWE star Malakai Black has revealed there was a pitch for him to face Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42 earlier this year. Speaking on a podcast, Black mentioned the planned match was why he developed a special smoke device for his entrance jacket. "Initially, the plan was for WrestleMania because up until that point, the pitch for me and Randy Orton was WrestleMania," Black said. That marquee matchup never materialized. Black briefly interacted with Orton in early 2026 before being released from WWE in April. He is now the reigning Progress Men's World Champion on the independent circuit.

The confirmed lineup for the September 18, 2026 edition of WWE SmackDown directly continues the story stemming from Orton's win. The show from Corpus Christi, Texas, will feature an exclusive interview with Cody Rhodes addressing his loss to Randy Orton. This segment is a key part of WWE's official preview for the night. It positions Orton's victory as a major plot point that requires a response from the former champion, ensuring The Viper remains in the spotlight. Other segments include Sami Zayn's pursuit of justice against CM Punk and a Women's Money in the Bank qualifying match.

  • Randy Orton defeated Cody Rhodes in a high-profile match, sparking a bitter new rivalry.
  • Cody Rhodes promised retribution in unaired SmackDown footage, guaranteeing an escalated feud.
  • Georges St-Pierre attempted to learn the RKO.
  • A planned WrestleMania 42 match between Orton and Malakai Black was pitched but never happened.

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