Cody Rhodes, the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion, is set to defend his title against Randy Orton at the upcoming Royal Rumble 2026, which will be held at the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Royal Rumble 2026 WWE Title match is scheduled as part of the Stamford-based promotion’s first major live event outside the United States early next year.
Momentum Builds Toward a Highly Anticipated Title Showdown
After overcoming John Cena at SummerSlam 2025 Night Two, Cody Rhodes reclaimed and has since maintained his grip on the Undisputed WWE Championship. As the show moves toward its milestone event in Riyadh, speculation has intensified about major matchups. According to professional wrestling journalist Andrew Baydala, a marquee clash is set:
“Randy and Cody at the #RoyalRumble for the WWE Championship will be big business,” Baydala shared on his official X account.
In addition to this high-profile title bout, Baydala suggested fans should look forward to another main event, with CM Punk’s opponent for the World Heavyweight Championship expected to please viewers, though no formal announcement has been made for that match as of yet.
Orton Returns, Stirs Rivalry with Rhodes
The foundation for this rivalry has been established in recent weeks. On the first WWE SmackDown episode of 2026, Randy Orton, once both mentor and stablemate to Cody Rhodes in Legacy, re-emerged to challenge Rhodes in a backstage confrontation. Orton, known as The Viper, made his intentions clear: he is aiming for the Undisputed WWE Title, setting the stage for an intense and emotionally charged feud aligning with both Superstars’ tumultuous histories in World Wrestling Entertainment.
Rhodes Faces a Challenging Road to Royal Rumble
Before Rhodes can officially defend his championship against Orton in Riyadh, his reign as champion faces a significant obstacle. The American Nightmare is booked for a Three Stages of Hell match against Drew McIntyre, a fierce rival who has been gaining momentum and attempting psychological warfare against the champion in recent weeks. This critical title defense is slated for the next Friday Night SmackDown, putting Rhodes’ future in jeopardy before the global spotlight of Royal Rumble 2026.
If Rhodes survives this grueling contest against McIntyre, he will proceed to face Orton, but a loss could dramatically reshape the WrestleMania season and the landscape of WWE’s top tier. Triple H’s influence as the leading figure in the promotion may weigh heavily on booking decisions, as fans speculate whether a surprise is in store before the highly anticipated event in Saudi Arabia.
What This Means for WWE’s Global Expansion
The Royal Rumble 2026 WWE Title match between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton not only represents a clash between two of the company’s biggest stars, but also signals World Wrestling Entertainment’s ongoing push for global outreach. By bringing a cornerstone event to Riyadh, WWE aims to engage new audiences while invoking the storied history of rivalries that include figures such as The Viper, The American Nightmare, and their previous alliances. As anticipation builds, the results of the wrestling world’s next chapter hinge on the unfolding drama in both SmackDown and Royal Rumble 2026.
Randy and Cody at the #RoyalRumble for the WWE Championship will be big business.
I believe Punks opponent will make a lot of people happy as well. #SmackDown
— Andrew Baydala (@AndrewBaydala) January 3, 2026
