Rhodes Names WWE Title Top Prize, Faces Orton
Cody Rhodes named the WWE Championship as his favorite title as he prepares for a Last Man Standing match with Randy Orton in Riyadh.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Wrestling
Cody Rhodes named the WWE Championship as his number one title on the Double Coverage Podcast, citing its connection to people including John Cena, Roman Reigns and himself. Rhodes and Randy Orton meet in a Last Man Standing match on November 7 in Riyadh.
Why it matters
The match continues a rivalry that followed Rhodes's retention of the title at WrestleMania 42, where Orton punted him in the head after the bout. Rhodes's comments frame the championship as central to his legacy in the company.
Rhodes's statements on the Double Coverage Podcast and his October 30 SmackDown promo are interview and broadcast accounts rather than measured results. Rhodes has won titles in Ring of Honor, NWA, AEW and WWE, and the Last Man Standing rules require a ten-count to end the match, with the result still to be determined.
The players
Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes is a professional wrestler who has won championships in Ring of Honor, NWA, AEW and WWE and is a three-time Undisputed WWE Champion.
Randy Orton
Randy Orton is a veteran professional wrestler who has competed in WWE for many years and is known for his finishing move, the RKO.
The details
On the October 30 SmackDown episode, Rhodes opened with a promo aimed at Orton, apologizing in advance to Orton's wife, his five children and his fans because he has to keep his promise to Orton. A photograph of Rhodes's face after their WrestleMania 42 match was shown on the big screen.
Timeline
October 30: Rhodes opened SmackDown with a promo aimed at Randy Orton.
November 7: Rhodes and Orton meet in a Last Man Standing match in Riyadh.
Rivalry Trajectory
The November 7 Last Man Standing match in Riyadh extends the feud that began when Randy Orton punted Cody Rhodes in the head after Rhodes retained the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42. Rhodes's public framing of the title as central to his career places the match within his broader push to be remembered as a champion.
The Last Man Standing match in Riyadh on November 7 means the result will be decided by a ten-count rather than a standard pinfall or submission, changing how viewers should track the finish. Fans following the rivalry can use the match date and location to plan their viewing.
The takeaway
Rhodes's ranking of the WWE Championship above his other titles shows how a title's history and the people tied to it can matter more to a champion than the belt itself. The Riyadh match will test that connection under Last Man Standing rules.
What happens next
Rhodes and Randy Orton meet in a Last Man Standing match on November 7 in Riyadh.
Further reading
For more on the rivalries and title histories shaping the sport, explore Wrestling coverage.
