Orton and Rhodes Shared Recent WWE Interviews
The two wrestling stars sat down with Michael Cole on WWE SmackDown to discuss their ongoing rivalry.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Wrestling
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Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes recently participated in separate sit-down interviews on WWE SmackDown. The segments followed their recent series of high-profile matches.
Why it matters
The interviews provide insight into the intensity of a rivalry between two top stars who have split recent victories. Their verbal exchanges have become a focal point of current WWE programming as the professional dynamic remains unresolved.
The wrestlers are currently tied with one victory each following Cody Rhodes' win at WrestleMania 42 and Randy Orton's victory at Sunday Night's Main Event. Randy Orton has also publicly stated his goal of reaching 15 world championships.
The players
Randy Orton
He is a veteran professional wrestler who has expressed a goal of reaching 15 world championships.
Cody Rhodes
He is a prominent professional wrestler who previously defeated Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42.
Michael Cole
He is a long-standing WWE broadcaster who conducted the sit-down interviews with both wrestlers.
Bully Ray
He is a veteran wrestler and analyst who provided commentary on the credibility of the recent interview segments.
The details
Randy Orton addressed Michael Cole by rising from his chair during his October 2 appearance, while Cody Rhodes detailed the history of the feud during his earlier segment. Bully Ray has since evaluated the credibility of both televised interviews as the pair continues to navigate their history.
Timeline
September 18, 2026: Cody Rhodes participated in his sit-down interview.
September 2026: Randy Orton defeated Cody Rhodes at Sunday Night's Main Event.
October 2, 2026: Randy Orton participated in his sit-down interview.
Season Trajectory
This rivalry is currently defined by the competitive split between WrestleMania 42 and Sunday Night's Main Event. The lack of a confirmed trilogy match keeps the future of this feud and the immediate main event picture in a state of suspense.
The ongoing tension suggests a high probability of a future pay-per-view encounter to break the current 1-1 deadlock. Fans should monitor future episodes of WWE SmackDown for a formal match announcement that would resolve the current competitive stalemate.
The takeaway
The sit-down interviews serve to escalate the psychological warfare between two competitors who are currently evenly matched in the ring. Following their recent trades of victories, the verbal exchanges are the primary engine driving audience interest in their next encounter.
Further reading
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Source note: This article includes information reported by Wrestling Inc..
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