Cody Rhodes Drops a Bombshell: This WrestleMania Feud With Randy Orton Isn’t Just For Show
Just weeks before stepping into the ring to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton at WrestleMania, Rhodes sat down with Power 105.1 to explain why this isn’t just another storyline for him. In an industry filled with scripted rivalries, Rhodes insists this showdown with his former mentor cuts deeper than fans might realize.
“I think wrestling is always best when it’s real,” Rhodes admitted. “It’s very real for me.”
For those who haven’t been following the fallout, the tension erupted last month during a contract signing on Smackdown, when Orton snapped and brutally attacked the very student he once guided. It was a classic heel turn for The Viper, but for Rhodes, it’s personal history crashing into the present.
He spoke candidly about the complicated dynamic of facing a man who was genuinely his mentor—the same man he used to drive from town to town and watch main-event WrestleMania back in 2009.
“This is the guy who brought me into the fold to be part of his faction,” Rhodes said. “To stand across the ring from each other in the biggest match that we do of the year? Knowing like, ‘Hey, I need you to see me.’ Like ‘I’m not a kid anymore.’”
Rhodes also touched on the changing landscape of WWE, noting that while the industry went through a phase of young stars being thrown into the deep end, the current era is defined by seasoned veterans.
“I know exactly who we’re talking about here. Roman, me, Punk, Randy,” he said. “I just like to say it’s a very experienced crew.”
With WrestleMania fast approaching, Rhodes made it clear that this isn’t just about defending his title. It’s about proving to his old mentor that the pupil has finally become the master.
“That makes for great TV,” Rhodes said. “And that makes great matches.”
