Randy Orton secured a significant win over Cody Rhodes at WWE Sunday Night's Main Event on Sept. 6, 2026, at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The match concluded after Orton employed a strategy of feigning surrender, followed by a low blow and an RKO for the pinfall.
During the match, Rhodes appeared to be contemplating a villainous turn. After the referee, Charles Robinson, was incapacitated, Rhodes aggressively attacked Orton outside the ring and delivered multiple Cross Rhodes finishers. As Orton attempted to recover, Rhodes set up for a punt, mirroring a previous move Orton had used against him. However, when Orton appeared to surrender, Rhodes hesitated. A second referee, Eddie Arango, entered the ring to attend to Orton. Rhodes urged Arango to move aside, at which point Orton delivered a low blow to both Rhodes and Arango. Orton then followed up with an RKO to pin Rhodes.
This loss places Rhodes in a potentially difficult position in his WWE career. Rhodes has experienced recent championship match losses, including one to Sami Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Night of Champions and another to CM Punk for the title at SummerSlam, a match where Orton was involved.
With recent setbacks, the Money in the Bank ladder match is being suggested as Rhodes' most direct route back into the title contention. Qualifying matches for the event are scheduled to begin this week.
