On the August 8 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, Randy Orton avenged his ally and WWE Champion Cody Rhodes by confronting Drew McIntyre. With Rhodes absent from WWE television, Orton stepped in to protect his friend’s interests during a tense evening of competition and conflict.
The American Nightmare’s absence was notable throughout the show, as commentators including Joe Tessitore confirmed there was no medical update regarding Rhodes. While the spotlight remained on Rhodes, McIntyre took the opportunity to challenge the champion openly, asserting that he intended to claim the WWE Championship for himself.
Match Highlights and Rising Tensions Between McIntyre and Orton
During the event, Randy Orton joined forces with John Cena to face Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul in a fiercely contested tag team match. The bout ended in disqualification when Paul struck Cena with a low blow, escalating tensions as Cena and Paul brawled backstage. Shortly after, McIntyre attacked Rhodes in his absence, wielding the WWE title belt before delivering a devastating Claymore kick.
Following this, McIntyre confronted the commentary team, declaring that Rhodes had no allies left, while boldly promising to take the championship from him. At that moment, Orton appeared unexpectedly and swiftly incapacitated McIntyre with a sudden RKO, signaling his willingness to defend Rhodes despite the champion’s ongoing absence.
The Ongoing Rivalry and What’s Ahead for WWE’s Top Stars
Throughout 2025, Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton have clashed three times, holding an even record in singles competition. Their rivalry extended to SummerSlam, where McIntyre teamed with Logan Paul to defeat Orton and Jelly Roll in a high-profile match. This ongoing feud has intensified the competition for the WWE Championship on SmackDown.
With Cody Rhodes still sidelined and no return date announced, Orton’s intervention could mark a turning point in the rivalry. Fans will be watching closely to see if another showdown between McIntyre and Orton is on the horizon, especially as McIntyre continues to challenge Rhodes’ reign and claim there are no true friends left to protect the champion.
