Randy Orton made his ambitions clear during a SummerSlam kickoff show at Fanatics Fest in New York City, outlining a specific path he wants for his immediate future. With a spot secured in the King of the Ring tournament final, Orton declared he would rather face Cody Rhodes for the crown.
Orton’s statement came just a day after he defeated Sami Zayn on the June 20 edition of WWE SmackDown, punching his ticket to the final at Night of Champions. The tournament concludes on June 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Orton will meet the winner of the upcoming match between Rhodes and Jey Uso, scheduled for this Monday’s WWE RAW.
Beyond the tournament, Orton also set his sights on a legendary rival. He stated a desire to face John Cena one more time, specifically with a World Title on the line. Orton expressed his intent to get revenge on Cena, vowing that his former adversary “has an ass kicking coming to him.”
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This challenge adds a new layer to their recently concluded feud. The two veterans battled at WWE Backlash on May 10 in a match heavily promoted as “One Final Time.” In that encounter, Cena retained the Undisputed WWE Championship by using questionable tactics, providing clear motivation for Orton’s desire for another match.
With rumors suggesting 2025 could be Orton’s last full-time year as an active competitor, his current goals in the King of the Ring tournament and his challenge to Cena carry significant weight.
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