WWE Legend Randy Orton Set to Explode Back on TV – And He Might Bring Down Cody Rhodes for Good
If you thought Randy Orton was taking a nice, quiet vacation after his brutal loss to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 42, think again. The Viper has been off television since that crushing Night One defeat, but the silence is about to break in a major way.
WWE has already started planting seeds. Orton is officially advertised for a specific date later this month, and insiders say his return is going to shake up the entire roster. But how will he actually come back? Will he be a hero, a villain, or something far more dangerous?
After digging through the latest booking patterns and talking to sources close to the situation, here are five potential game plans for Randy Orton’s inevitable return to WWE television.
5. An Unlikely Reunion with Cody Rhodes
It sounds crazy on paper. Rhodes was once a disciple in Orton’s Legacy faction before they became bitter enemies. But in WWE, time heals all wounds, especially when a bigger bad guy is standing across the ring.
With Orton scheduled to appear on the May 29 edition of SmackDown in Barcelona, Spain – the final show before Clash in Italy – there is a perfect window for a save. Picture this: GUNTHER is laying waste to the Undisputed WWE Champion, the crowd is desperate, and suddenly the arena goes dark. The RKO comes out of nowhere. Orton doesn’t say a word. He just stares down GUNTHER and extends a hand to Rhodes. Redemption is a powerful story, and few tell it better than Randy Orton.
4. Total Betrayal – Attacking Cody Rhodes Again
Let’s be honest. The last time we saw Orton at WrestleMania 42, he wasn’t shaking hands. He was holding the Undisputed WWE Championship over his head after punting Cody Rhodes into oblivion. Why would that energy change just because he took a few weeks off?
The May 22 SmackDown from Lexington, Kentucky, is the perfect trap. Rhodes thinks he is safe preparing for GUNTHER. He thinks Orton is still on vacation. That is when the RKO hits. By reigniting their war right before the Italy pay-per-view, WWE turns Rhodes’ championship defense into a two-front nightmare. Orton doesn’t want the title shot. He wants to destroy the man he used to mentor.
3. A Shocking Brand Switch to WWE Raw
Just because Orton is advertised for SmackDown doesn’t mean he is staying on SmackDown. In fact, a one-night pop-in could be the perfect way to close the book on the Rhodes chapter before starting a completely new one on Monday nights.
Imagine Orton walking away from the blood feud with Cody for now, only to show up on Raw with a smirk and a promise to “clean house.” A fresh crop of victims is waiting for him. Think about the magic of Randy Orton versus rising stars like Joe Hendry or Je’Von Evans. Or the war of words with veterans like Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Sometimes the smartest move is to get out of someone else’s story and start your own.
2. The Mystery Attacker of GUNTHER
For weeks, WWE has had an open door to introduce a surprise assailant on SmackDown. The timing is too perfect to ignore. GUNTHER is the number one contender for the Undisputed WWE Championship. What if, ten days before Clash in Italy, GUNTHER is found laid out in the parking lot?
No witnesses. No footage. Just a broken Ring General and a stolen title opportunity. When the cameras finally catch up to the attacker, it’s Randy Orton standing over the body, spitting venom. This sets up a beautiful three-way dance. Orton takes GUNTHER’s spot, but GUNTHER isn’t injured enough to go away. Suddenly, the Italy main event becomes a chaotic brawl with Orton, Rhodes, and GUNTHER all wanting to kill each other.
1. The Big One: Orton Builds a New Faction
This is the move that keeps you up at night. Randy Orton has always been at his most dangerous when he has an army. Legacy was legendary. But imagine a 2026 version of The Viper recruiting two specific wolves to hunt Cody Rhodes.
Two names to watch: Royce Keys and Ricky Saints. Both are former friends of Cody Rhodes who have their own reasons to feel betrayed. If Orton is the one who reunites them as “Team RKO,” the psychological damage to Rhodes would be massive. It is no longer just a title chase. It becomes a personal hunting season heading straight into SummerSlam. Orton doesn’t just want to beat Cody. He wants to isolate him from everyone he has ever trusted.
No matter which path WWE chooses, one thing is certain. The Viper is hungry, he is angry, and he is coming back before the end of this month. Lock your doors.
