Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton did not hold back in a tense exchange ahead of their grudge match in Sunday Night’s Main Event on September 6 in Atlanta, Georgia.
The two former friends had been at each other’s throats since WrestleMania season, but their feud took a pause as Orton was sidelined for five months.
The rivalry was reignited when Orton returned and meddled with the WWE Championship match between CM Punk and Rhodes at last month’s SummerSlam, costing The American Nightmare the championship win.
Provocations ensue
In the latest episode of SmackDown, the two rivals had to hold back as SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis warned that if Orton or Rhodes attacked each other before their match, they would be barred from competing for the WWE Championship in the future.
Rhodes first entered the ring, stating that Orton cannot “holster the accountability of your own actions,” claiming that every time his opponent goes “up, he screws up.”
He then stated that Orton messed up once more when he interfered with Rhodes’ pursuit of championship gold.
The Viper then came out, looking already irate with what Rhodes had said.
Orton admitted that he had “zero accountability” early in his career, recalling that his opponent witnessed all this, as Orton mentored Rhodes back in 2008 when the two were part of The Legacy group.
Orton then recalled his interference during SummerSlam, and invited Rhodes to take a swing at him.
He further provoked Rhodes, mentioning his beloved 13-year-old dog, Pharaoh, that he used to bring backstage. “Did that dog die? Is that dog dead? Did your daughters have to bury that dog deep in your backyard?”
Orton, Rhodes exercise restraint
The words of The Viper irked Rhodes, but the situation escalated when Orton asked if his “trashy-ass wife” would be present at Sunday Night’s Main Event, referring to Brandi Rhodes.
Orton further goaded Rhodes to hit him, but The American Nightmare retaliated with a few shots of his own.
“I am counting the days until Atlanta… when we find out if you really are this once in a lifetime generational superstar like my dad was,” Rhodes said, as he mentioned wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes.
“Or are you a first-class screw-up like yours was,” he added, referring to former wrestler Bob Orton Jr.
The comment ticked off Orton, as he jittered and paced back and forth to restrain himself from hitting Rhodes.
But he did not attack his former friend, respecting the clause of Aldis as their match is expected to be explosive at Sunday Night’s Main Event.
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