WWE Champion Cody Rhodes was attacked on the September 26 episode of SmackDown, but Randy Orton returned to make the save. The confrontation started when Rhodes pressed Paul Heyman about his ties to the absent Brock Lesnar. The verbal exchange ended with an assault by Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, cut short by Orton’s surprise appearance.
The segment opened with Rhodes demanding clarity from Heyman. He asked if he was speaking to an “Oracle,” a “Wiseman,” or an “Advocate.” Heyman dismissed the questions, responding, “You’re talking to The GOAT.”
As Breakker and Reed arrived at ringside, Heyman warned Rhodes he was in danger even without Lesnar on the show. Moments later, both men stormed the ring and attacked the champion.
The beating ended when Orton’s music hit. He entered the ring, dropped Reed with an RKO, and helped Rhodes drive Breakker away. Orton then lifted the WWE Championship belt, held it for a moment, and handed it back to Rhodes.
This angle played out while reports circulated that Lesnar will be off television for a stretch. His shadow still loomed over the broadcast. Earlier in the night, Michael Cole mentioned that Corey Graves would miss a couple of weeks after taking two F5s from Lesnar.
With Lesnar absent, Rhodes now looks ahead to Crown Jewel on October 11 in Perth. He will face World Champion Seth Rollins in a Champion vs. Champion bout. At last year’s Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia, Rhodes defeated Gunther.