WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and Stephanie McMahon shared a tense confrontation on the latest episode of “Raw” as the champion’s “WrestleMania” match against a vicious Randy Orton nears.
Rhodes, who is a “SmackDown” superstar, opened the show as he greeted the rowdy Madison Square Garden crowd.
Before Rhodes could mutter another word, Stephanie McMahon made a surprise appearance to the shock of the WWE title holder.
McMahon, who is the daughter of the WWE’s former chairman Vince McMahon, stated that she wants to talk about Rhodes, Orton and “WrestleMania”.
“You’re not going to like what I have to say,” McMahon, who is an inductee of this year’s Hall of Fame class, stated to a baffled Rhodes.
“…You, me and Randy, we are multi-generational talents in this business, we understand what it means to be at the top in a different way than anybody else.”
“We have all taken different paths to get to where we are… but you, you chose to take the golden path,” she said, as she further complimented Rhodes adding that he can bring out the best in people.
However, she warned that Rhodes cannot do the same with “this version” of Orton.
Her message of caution comes as Orton unleashed a brutal beating on the champion during their contract signing two weeks ago on “SmackDown”.
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McMahon warns of ‘diabolical’ Orton
McMahon further said that this version of Orton is “diabolical”, adding: “And Cody, you don’t have to be diabolical but you have to be able to think like that.
“You have to be able to think like Randy.”
She then brought up the champion’s father, wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes, stating that the older Rhodes “understood that better than anybody”.
“Dusty Rhodes could roll with the best of them… But from what I’ve seen so far, you are not your father,” McMahon said as the crowd exclaimed.
She then reiterated that this version of Rhodes will not beat Orton, adding that the “American Nightmare” does not know what he is up against.
Rhodes then replied that he knows “everything” about Orton, and recalled that “The Viper” did violent things to the past, including to McMahon herself.
“And I know that there’s a whole swath of the WWE universe of pro wrestling fans who want this student-teacher dynamic, but I ceased to be the student a long time ago.”
Rhodes affirmed that he is ready to face Orton and he is not afraid of his former mentor.
Rhodes bites back
Rhodes then took a swipe at McMahon stating: “You wanna bring up fathers? I’m not mine, you’re right. Stephanie McMahon, with all due respect, you’re not yours either.”
McMahon then proceeded to slap Rhodes, and stated that she confronted him because “I care about you”.
She further warned that Orton is dangerous, noting that he is not only listening to the voices in his head, but also to the mysterious character who he has been talking to on the phone with.
The segment got more tense as Rhodes physically pulled McMahon back as she was taking her exit from the ring.
“Stephanie McMahon, I’ve got two words for you. Thank you.”
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