Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton: A Rivalry Fueled by Championship Desperation

The tension between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton has escalated since Orton’s return to “Friday Night SmackDown.” Their feud has been marked by multiple physical confrontations. However, SmackDown GM Nick Aldis has mandated that neither wrestler can engage physically before their match at Sunday Night’s Main Event in Atlanta. Violating this rule would prevent them from competing for a WWE championship.

High Stakes and Deep Rivalry

During their last meeting, Orton attempted to provoke Rhodes by labeling him as “addicted” and “sick” due to his ambition to become the champion. This statement highlights the high stakes in pro wrestling. Rhodes addressed Orton’s comments in an interview with OutKick Dropkick.

He called me ‘addicted to winning the championship’ and ‘sick.’ He was trying to provoke me into reacting. If I had retaliated, I would lose my chance for the WWE championship. The same applied to him.

Rhodes explained, “At King of the Ring, I defeated Randy Orton. At WrestleMania, I defeated Randy Orton. The drive to win is paramount. Every pro wrestler aims for the top. Trust and liking someone who doesn’t want to be champion is rare in this business.”

The Pressure on Randy Orton

Rhodes believes Orton feels the pressure more keenly. “Randy is close to breaking records, nearing 17, close to John. He feels overlooked as one of WWE’s greatest. However, history will remember him as losing a third time to me, his protege, at Sunday Night’s Main Event.”

Championship Aspirations

Rhodes aims to reclaim his place in the Undisputed WWE Championship scene. The upcoming match with Orton is a decisive one as Money in the Bank approaches. Sunday Night’s Main Event also includes a six-woman tag match featuring Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, and Tatum Paxley against Jade Cargill, Michin, and B-Fab. Additional matches include Baron Corbin versus Lil Yachty and Oba Femi against Bron Breakker.

Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.