Randy Orton’s History With Cody Rhodes, Explained


Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes are set to meet in the middle of the ring in the King of the Ring finals at Night of Champions, with a World title shot at SummerSlam on the line for the winner. The stakes couldn’t be any higher for two of WWE’s elite superstars, but there is a far more personal edge to this match due to their history together.

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Orton and Rhodes go way back in WWE, long before the latter became the American Nightmare and before the Viper earned WWE legend status. Their history is detailed, and it is one of the reasons why fans have been desperate to see them collide. This is a match for the ages that long-term fans will be ecstatic to see unfold.

Randy Orton Took Cody Rhodes Under His Wing To Form Legacy

This Faction Would Dominate The WWE Landscape For A Period

Legacy Faction

  • Orton was Rhodes’ first opponent on WWE television.
  • Rhodes would turn on Hardcore Holly to team with Ted DiBiase Jr.
  • Legacy became the biggest faction in WWE.

Rhodes and Orton have a history dating back to 2007, when the son of Dusty Rhodes debuted on the WWE main roster for the first time. WWE evidently had high expectations for him, given that the Viper was his first-ever opponent, throwing him into the deep end against one of the biggest stars in the company.

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WWE immediately set up a storyline with them as Orton Punt kicked the American Dream after a few weeks of disrespecting the Hall of Famer. This seemed like it would naturally lead to a feud, but instead, Rhodes fell in line and formed a tag team with Ted DiBiase Jr to work under Orton’s leadership as the group Legacy was formed. The heel trio became the dominant group on Raw from 2008 until their demise, which was all built around Orton being the lead star.

Rhodes and DiBiase Jr. were primarily there to do all of Orton’s work, take beatings for him, and ensure his protection. But being involved in all of the main event storylines gave the two young second-generation stars huge exposure. They held tag team gold and had a major feud against D-Generation X in the process.

Cody Rhodes & Randy Orton Had A Personal Singles Feud

Rhodes Put His Career On The Line Against Orton

Cody Rhodes Wrestlemania 40 match Joe Camporeale IMAGN

via IMAGN Image Services

  • They competed numerous times in 2013.
  • Orton defeated Rhodes, leading to him being ‘fired’.
  • They also feuded post-Legacy.

As is the case with most factions, Legacy eventually imploded as Rhodes and DiBiase Jr. had enough of the way they were treated in the storyline. It culminated in a triple threat match between them at WrestleMania 26, which Viper was able to win, highlighting his dominance over the younger stars at the time.

However, Rhodes and Orton would go on to have a more personal storyline later on to add another layer to their story. The two men competed against each other a lot in 2013, but the most important moment was a singles match between them, where Triple H put Rhodes’ career on the line.

This moment came after Rhodes challenged Triple H’s leadership, but in reality, was done so he could be written off television for his wedding and honeymoon. However, it was Orton who he faced at that moment, coming up short against the Viper once again as he continued to chase that standard.

Randy Orton Was A Genuine Mentor For Cody Rhodes

The American Nightmare Also Helped Out Randy Orton

randy orton survivor series 2021 IMAGN

via IMAGN Image Services

  • Rhodes got to ride with Orton on the road for a long time.
  • Rhodes wanted to be like Orton in WWE.
  • Orton has praised Rhodes for keeping him on the straight and narrow.

Many wrestlers get paired together but don’t become close in real life, but that wasn’t the case for Rhodes and Orton, as the two men became genuine friends. Orton was known for having a reputation for going against the rules at that time in his life, but that didn’t stop him from legitimately taking Rhodes under his wing and helping to guide him. He explained what Orton meant to him during the post-Survivor Series press conference back in 2023, highlighting their bond.

“Randy is so wild, chaotic, and you hear all these funny stories about him and all this nonsense. But as a performer, professional wrestler, WWE superstar, what an outstanding mentor he was to me. Truly. I’ll never forget standing in the ring at the Royal Rumble when he won, pointing at the WrestleMania sign. [I was] just thinking, ‘I want to be like him.'”

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Interestingly, Orton has always praised Rhodes for their time working together. Even though he was the veteran, Orton was enjoying his life a little too much, and it was the younger wrestler who kept him in line when needed, as he told Inside The Ropes.

“Cody, probably, is responsible for getting me town to town safely for a good three years of my career. If it wasn’t for him, I might not be here right now. Like, he was my babysitter after the show.”

WWE’s Night Of Champions Will Etch One More Chapter In Their Story

Only One Man Can Become King of the Ring

graphic for WWE Night of Champions 2025

  • This is their first singles match against each other since 2013.
  • Neither man has won the King of the Ring.
  • The winner will get a World title shot at SummerSlam.

Now, with all of their history behind them, Rhodes and Orton are set to add one more chapter to their story when they reignite their long-term history in Saudi Arabia at Night of Champions. It might not have been the storyline fans expected for their first match against each other following Rhodes’ return, but it’s the one that WWE is providing.

Both men head into this match as babyfaces with nothing but respect for each other, which is a different dynamic from their previous interactions when they wrestled each other. However, there will be a competitive edge to the encounter as there is the chance to become the number one contender for a World title.

While either title is eligible for the winner to choose, it’s widely expected that whoever is victorious will challenge John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship. That adds even more pressure to this one, which could see both men go to extreme lengths to win and prove they’re the better man.



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