WWE

Randy Orton Makes Surprise Return at WWE SummerSlam, Factors Into Major Title Match

Randy Orton returns at SummerSlam, RKOs Cody Rhodes and costs him the Undisputed WWE Title against CM Punk.

Randy Orton Makes Surprise Return at WWE SummerSlam, Factors Into Major Title Match
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Randy Orton is back. The Viper made a surprise return during CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship on night one of SummerSlam at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, and his run-in cost Rhodes the title.

The match was worked as an even fight with a string of big near falls both ways. Rhodes kicked out of two GTSs, while Punk went through the announce table after missing his flying elbow.

The finish started with a ref bump — Rhodes went for the Cody Cutter and caught Charles Robinson instead.

With Robinson down, Orton came through the crowd, hit the ring and dropped Rhodes with an RKO before heading right back out.

Punk covered, hit one more GTS and got the pin to retain.

It was Orton’s first appearance since WrestleMania 42 on April 18, where Rhodes beat him for the same title. Orton laid him out with the belt afterward and punted him, and the program never got a proper blow-off. He’s been out since with the back issues that have followed him for years.

The match was also the first singles meeting between Punk and Rhodes since September 2008, and Punk’s first defense since taking the title from Sami Zayn on July 6.

Orton’s return sets up the continuation of his program with Rhodes. Punk finds out who’s next on night two, when Zayn and Finn Bálor meet in a No. 1 contender’s match.