Cody Rhodes appeared on WWE SmackDown on Friday, October 9, at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana.
The feud between Rhodes and Randy Orton took a new turn last week, when Orton interfered in Rhodes’ qualifying match against Kevin Owens and Johnny Gargano and cost him a spot in the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis confronted Orton backstage during the show and criticized his recent behavior. Orton maintained that Rhodes was the real problem and decided to leave the arena, flying out on his private jet.
Shortly afterward, Rhodes interrupted The Miz and Kit Wilson’s birthday celebration in the ring, attacking both men and hitting The Miz with Cross Rhodes.
Rhodes then got on the microphone and compared Orton to Michael Myers, the famous character from the Halloween horror franchise. He also took a harder line on how he plans to deal with Orton.
Rhodes noted that he beat Orton at WrestleMania 42 but was left bloodied by a post-match attack. Aldis then came out on the ramp to try to get the situation under control and offered to talk in his office about a possible rematch.
Rhodes turned down the offer and demanded a face-to-face meeting with Orton, vowing not to leave the ring until it happened. He added that he would be willing to travel to St. Louis to find Orton.
The shift in Rhodes’ approach makes clear that he may finally be ready to cross the line to finish Orton off.
WWE has not made a rematch between the two official.