Randy Orton Believes a Showdown With Cody Rhodes Would Surpass Everything

Randy Orton discussed a potential feud with Cody Rhodes down the line in WWE after bunch of teases last year during the shows.

Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes (via WWE)

Randy Orton believes a match against Cody Rhodes could be something truly extraordinary—unlike anything WWE has ever witnessed. Having served as a mentor to Rhodes both on and off-screen, Orton shares a deep, personal bond with him. Recently, he spoke about the prospect of facing the former Undisputed WWE Champion in a high-stakes singles match.

Speaking with Billboard, The Viper shared that he’s known The American Nightmare for a long time—dating back to Cody’s debut in WWE. With years of shared history, Orton believes there’s a wealth of material to craft a blockbuster storyline on television. He even suggested that their potential feud could surpass Cody’s rivalries with Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar, and even Seth Rollins.

So yeah, me and Cody in the ring, it would be a match with two equals going at it. I think the storytelling capabilities that we have — even though the stuff with Roman, with Brock and with John was great — it would blow all of that s–t out of the water. When the time comes for me and Cody to tell that story, I think it’ll blow anything out of the water.
Randy Orton via Billboard

The former WWE Champion added that a match between him and Rhodes would be a clash of equals—an unpredictable ride for the fans. Orton praised The Prodigal Son for changing the game in WWE through his sheer charisma and unwavering dedication. He even admitted that Rhodes’ work ethic has inspired him, fueling his desire to eventually share the ring with The American Nightmare.

Moreover, The Legend Killer noted that the former Undisputed WWE Champion was one of the last few in sports entertainment who has truly seen it all. Orton emphasized Rhodes’ unique journey—from WWE to the independent circuit and back—which, in his eyes, makes Rhodes an extraordinary contender.

The Legend Killer believes that if WWE, Cody Rhodes, and he were able to fully tap into their shared history, their eventual showdown could go down as one of the greatest matches in WWE history.

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Randy Orton Shares His Thoughts on the RKO Becoming a Pop Culture Phenomenon

RKO is one of the most popular WWE moves in pop-culture history. The finishing maneuver of Randy Orton has transcended the world of sports entertainment and has become a thing of his own.

Randy Orton Kevin Owens — Randy Orton landing an RKO on Kevin Owens (via WWE)

Speaking with Billboard, Orton admitted that the RKO had become something even bigger than himself. He expressed deep gratitude for how much the move has impacted his career, crediting the now-defunct Vine app for helping elevate its popularity.

The Viper recalled how a meme of him RKO’ing everyone—ranging from toddlers to elderly people—went viral, noting with a smile that, of course, it was all cleverly edited. Orton believes from those type of memes RKO made the entry in the main stream and then went on to become a thing of his own.

I think that was the [era of the] Vine app, and the kids started editing videos of me RKO’ing everybody. Whether it was maybe a toddler that fell over or someone at the alter getting married, anyone taking a bump out there, they’d put a little Randy Orton RKO out of nowhere, and it became a thing.
Randy Orton via Billboard

The 45-year-old also recalled his first meeting with Logan Paul, noting that the very first thing Paul brought up was the RKO. Orton stated that even though The Maverick wasn’t actively following WWE at the time, he was fully aware of what the RKO was.

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Randy Orton Set To Fight John Cena This Weekend at Backlash

Randy Orton is set to headline Backlash 2025 this Saturday in St. Louis against his longtime rival, John Cena. For Orton, this is a monumental challenge, as he has never faced this evolved version of The Cenation Leader—and with the stakes higher than ever in his hometown, losing was simply not an option.

The Legend Killer will be fighting for his 15th World Championship in WWE. Beyond that, he has declared war on the Hollywood star to protect the very heart of WWE. While The Franchise Player has vowed to ruin wrestling forever, for Orton, WWE is everything—which only makes this showdown even more highly anticipated.

Orton labeled Cena as a self-absorbed figure who always sought to have his name attached to everything relevant in WWE. While The Viper has remained dominant throughout their feud, it will be intriguing to see what WWE has in store for this rivalry this weekend.

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#About the Author

Anugrah Tyagi

(1952 Articles Published)

Anugrah is an experienced sports writer with over three years in the industry, having authored more than 1900 articles, with a strong focus on WWE and professional wrestling. Known for his sharp editorial sense and storytelling clarity, he specializes in crafting compelling content that bridges in-depth analysis with fan-focused engagement. Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Anugrah combines academic knowledge with real-world writing expertise. His skill set includes content strategy, digital trends, and editorial research, with a growing interest in the global sports scene—particularly football (soccer), Formula 1, and the NFL. A keen observer of storytelling in all its forms, Anugrah is fascinated by philosophy and exploring the deeper narratives that shape human behavior—both on and off the field. When he's not writing or researching, you’ll find him training in calisthenics, planning his next adventure, or diving into introspective reads that challenge the mind.

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