Randy Orton Outlines Title Ambitions After Kevin Owens WrestleMania Match
Randy Orton praises Cody Rhodes on SmackDown, shows respect for his career choices, and announces future championship intentions before Drew McIntyre interrupts.
Randy Orton didn’t mince words when he joined Cody Rhodes in the ring during the March 28th SmackDown. After Rhodes briefly mentioned his upcoming meeting with John Cena on Raw, Orton made his way to the ring for what turned into a heartfelt moment between the two WWE stars.
Orton reflected on Rhodes’ journey, recalling when he first broke into WWE and eventually made the bold decision to leave.
It took big ass balls to leave the company, but you changed the business.
Orton told Rhodes, acknowledging his accomplishments since returning, including defeating Seth Rollins with a torn pec and finishing his story by defeating Roman Reigns at WrestleMania.
Business is up and it is mostly, 99.9% because of Cody.
Orton continued.
What I’m trying to say is I respect you, I love you, and I’m very proud of you.
The genuine praise quickly shifted to Orton’s future plans when he declared that after defeating Kevin Owens at WrestleMania and after Rhodes beats Cena, he’d be coming for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
The moment was cut short when Drew McIntyre stormed the ring, clearly irritated by what he called a “lovefest” between “two nepo babies.” McIntyre questioned what Orton had done to earn a title shot and warned that despite Orton looking “jacked on the outside,” his back was “hanging by a thread” and he’d break it if provoked.
Rhodes quickly responded with a kick and uppercut to McIntyre, who managed to escape before Orton could connect with an RKO. The segment ended with McIntyre retreating but clearly establishing himself as a threat to both men.
Randy Orton tells Cody Rhodes that he is coming for the Undisputed WWE Championship…
— PW Chronicle (@_PWChronicle) March 28, 2025
Orton vs. Rhodes at some point is gonna COOK. 🔥 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/bc1YRYaFqj
