WWE has added major stakes to the upcoming match between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton at Sunday Night’s Main Event.
The August 21 episode of WWE SmackDown from Toronto opened with tensions continuing to escalate between Rhodes and Orton ahead of their match in Atlanta in two weeks.
After a video package recapping their issues aired, Sami Zayn was shown backstage having a heated conversation with SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis. Zayn demanded to know when he would get “justice,” noting that he has continued working through a broken hand and questioning whether Orton was standing in the way of his opportunity.
Orton then appeared behind Zayn, but their interaction was interrupted when Rhodes could be heard from the ring. Aldis and Orton headed toward ringside, while a frustrated Zayn was left backstage.
Aldis confronted Rhodes in the ring and reminded him that what happened last week nearly turned into a catastrophe. Before he could get much further, Orton made his entrance and promised to “whoop” Rhodes in front of his family and hometown fans when they meet at Sunday Night’s Main Event.
Rhodes responded by suggesting they settle things immediately. Orton started toward the ring, but Aldis intervened and announced a new stipulation designed to keep the two separated until Atlanta.
Aldis declared that Rhodes and Orton can “tear each other apart” at Sunday Night’s Main Event, but if either man physically touches the other before their match, neither will ever receive another World Championship opportunity.
Orton agreed to play by the rules, saying there was no chance he would jeopardize his pursuit of becoming a 15-time World Champion. He jokingly told everyone to start referring to him as “Mr. Professional.”
Orton then turned his attention back to Rhodes and last week’s confrontation, when Rhodes appeared ready to strike him with a steel chair before ultimately stopping himself. Orton said Rhodes could claim someone prevented him from following through, but Orton believes Rhodes simply didn’t have it in him.
Orton contrasted that with his own history, pointing out that when he was put in the same position, he didn’t hesitate to smash Rhodes in the head with a chair. According to Orton, he knows how to “go there,” while Rhodes has always been a “good guy” and a “good boy.”
He then took another shot at Rhodes, declaring that he isn’t the “American Nightmare” but rather the “American Daydream.”
Rhodes fired back that Orton was operating under a dangerous assumption by believing he knew why Rhodes didn’t swing the chair last week.
Rhodes then brought up Orton’s pursuit of a 15th World Championship before closing the segment with a Paul Heyman-style warning, framing what will happen in Atlanta as a “spoiler” rather than a prediction.
Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton will take place at WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event in Atlanta, Georgia, in two weeks. Make sure to join us here at WrestlingHeadlines.com for live WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event Results coverage.
He's right behind you, @SamiZayn… 😬@RandyOrton pic.twitter.com/uSQUuf6Nar
— WWE (@WWE) August 22, 2026
.@RealNickAldis is standing on business 😤 pic.twitter.com/lPIqGIbt9z
— WWE (@WWE) August 22, 2026
.@CodyRhodes is NOT holding back 😳 pic.twitter.com/4RNqaPeThq
— WWE (@WWE) August 22, 2026
An absolutely WILD ending to SmackDown! 🤯@CodyRhodes | @RandyOrton pic.twitter.com/RHdbmxpFWD
— WWE (@WWE) August 15, 2026
