Randy Orton health update to be given, major stipulation for upcoming match? - 4 things Cody Rhodes can do on WWE SmackDown tonight
WWE Friday Night SmackDown is set to air later tonight on the USA Network. This week's edition of the blue brand should be a busy one, as it will both deal with the fallout of a major show and start building towards another.
Survivor Series: WarGames took place this past Saturday so the fallout of the last main roster Premium Live Event will get a lot of focus. At the same time, Saturday Night's Main Event takes place later this month, so surely the show will build towards that as well.
The World Champion of SmackDown Cody Rhodes will likely be in the house tonight too. For now, nothing has been advertised in regards to The American Nightmare and what he may say or do.
This article will take a look at a handful of things that the WrestleMania main eventer might do. This includes revealing a major stipulation for an upcoming match, wrestling an unexpected star, and beyond.
Below are four things Cody Rhodes can do on WWE SmackDown tonight.
#4. He could reveal a stipulation for his upcoming match with Kevin Owens
As noted, Saturday Night's Main Event is WWE's next big event for main roster stars. The show won't be a premium live event, but instead a special on NBC on Saturday, December 14th, beginning at 8 PM EST.
Cody Rhodes is set for a big-time match at the show. He will put the Undisputed WWE Championship on the line against Kevin Owens. Given how personal their feud has been, a stipulation could be added to the upcoming bout and it may be revealed tonight.
The American Nightmare may demand to fight Owens in an I Quit Match or even a Street Fight. Given how serious the issues are between them, the two working a regular match just doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.
#3. Cody Rhodes could go one-on-one with Giovanni Vinci
Cody Rhodes is fuming due to Kevin Owens, but that anger spilled out recently towards another WWE star. Carmelo Hayes began running his mouth about Cody, which led to a backstage skirmish and then a match.
Notably, Carmelo wasn't the only WWE Superstar backstage during the initial incident. Hayes was talking to the cocky Giovanni Vinci. Come SmackDown, Vinci's support of Melo could lead to another match.
Either by Cody seeking it out or Vinci running his mouth, an impromptu match could be made pitting the two one-on-one. The former Imperium star is a great wrestler, but can he hang with the top champion in pro wrestling? If fans are lucky, they might get to find out later tonight on SmackDown.
#2. He could brawl with Kevin Owens ahead of WWE Saturday Night's Main Event
As noted, Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes will clash at WWE Saturday Night's Main Event. The match has had a lot of build and it really started taking off when Owens jumped Cody after Bad Blood ended.
Owens was furious that Cody teamed up with his arch-nemesis Roman Reigns. From there, The Prizefighter accused Randy Orton of choosing Cody's side and gave him a sick Piledriver on the mat, injuring The Viper. Rhodes has been enraged ever since.
Instead of another verbal back and forth, things could get physical just over a week out from Saturday Night's Main Event. Cody and Kevin could get into a brawl, either in the ring or backstage.
#1. Rhodes could provide a health update on Randy Orton
As noted, Randy Orton was viciously attacked by Kevin Owens. The two were friends and even tag team partners on WWE television, but Owens jumped Orton outside when he believed Randy chose Cody over him.
This led to the two engaging in a crazy brawl at Crown Jewel and then the aforementioned Piledriver incident on an episode of WWE SmackDown. Randy's neck was hurt and there hasn't been an official timetable in regards to when he could return to the ring.
Cody Rhodes could change that, however. Cody could give an update on The Viper's status. For example, he could say Randy will be back in January, at the Royal Rumble in February, next week on SmackDown, or even at Saturday Night's Main Event. Alternatively, he could reveal bad news if the injury isn't healing as well as one may hope.