Former Universal Champion to return after SummerSlam and turn heel on Cody Rhodes, says analyst; he may not be alone
Cody Rhodes is set to put his Undisputed WWE Championship on the line against Solo Sikoa at SummerSlam. However, Sam Roberts recently warned that it is Kevin Owens and Randy Orton he should be worried about after The Biggest Party of the Summer.
The American Nightmare's closest allies in WWE, Owens and Orton, have been taken down one after the other by The Bloodline in the last couple of weeks on SmackDown. Firstly, The Viper was destroyed and put through the announce table on the July 12, 2024 edition of the blue brand. KO faced a similar fate last week, and on both occasions, Rhodes was made to watch helplessly by the Solo Sikoa-led faction.
Speaking on the Notsam Wrestling Podcast, Roberts predicted that Rhodes would retain his title against The Tribal Chief at SummerSlam. He then added that Kevin Owens and Randy Orton could return to WWE shortly after the event but take their frustration for the recent attacks out on Rhodes, turning heel in the process.
"Cody Rhodes comes back from SummerSlam, triumphant victor. And now, both Kevin Owens and Randy Orton are back. Did Cody Rhodes visit them in the hospital? Did Cody Rhodes make sure they were okay? They were there for Cody, was Cody there for them? And that is how we immediately get to Kevin Owens and Randy Orton taking out what happened to them on Cody. They don't have to turn at the same time. Randy Orton and Kevin Owens come back and Kevin Owens is the first one to turn. Right? And then when Kevin Owens doesn't beat Cody Rhodes, then Randy Orton turns," said Sam Roberts. [17:58 - 18:47]
WWE veteran thinks Randy Orton is almost certain to turn on Cody Rhodes
While speaking on a recent edition of Sportskeeda Wrestling's Legion of RAW, Vince Russo said he was not a fan of Cody Rhodes' promo on Randy Orton on SmackDown.
Russo also felt that WWE all but confirmed The Viper's heel turn on Rhodes, and the surprise element is not there anymore.
"Cody’s promos are cringe to me. They are absolutely cringe. I just watched SmackDown this morning and what’s he doing? 'Randy Orton is my brother. We’re like family. He got me my job.’ Well, looks like Randy Orton turning on Cody... You cannot give any more away. That is bad writing. It’s supposed to be the subtle things... when it happens, you’re shocked, and then you can go back and say, ‘Ah man, I should have saw [sic] this coming,’" Russo said. [From 29:55 onwards]
It remains to be seen if the predictions about Orton betraying The American Nightmare and going after the Undisputed WWE Championship do come true once he returns to the sports entertainment juggernaut.