Cody Rhodes once again escalated his rhetoric against Randy Orton on this week’s Friday Night SmackDown at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The segment came shortly after Orton’s interview with Michael Cole, in which Orton asked the commentator whether he really believed Rhodes would follow through on his threat to kick Orton in the head.
Rhodes made his way to the ring and noted that he had been close to beating CM Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam before Orton interfered. Punk later lost the title to Sami Zayn, but Rhodes said he knows he can beat Zayn. First, he said, he needs to deal with Orton.
Rhodes then argued that Orton is trying to put him back in a position where any decision he makes could be used against him. He has been in spots like that before, he said, pointing to the moment The Rock, his so-called boss, asked for his soul in front of thousands of people. Rhodes also cited facing John Cena during Cena’s retirement tour.
“I am the king of unwinnable positions!”
The feud between Rhodes and Orton intensified at SummerSlam, when Orton returned and hit Rhodes with an RKO, helping Punk retain the title. At Sunday Night’s Main Event on September 6, Rhodes had a chance to hit Orton with the Punt Kick but hesitated. Orton capitalized with a low blow followed by an RKO and won the match.
Rhodes closed his promo with one last threat aimed at Orton.
“I promise you that I’m going to kick your head off… But I can’t promise you’ll be the only one.”
Rhodes is set to face Kevin Owens and Johnny Gargano in a Triple Threat Match next Friday for the final spot in the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. That episode of SmackDown will take place in Denver, Colorado.