Cody Rhodes Publicly Apologizes To Randy Orton's Family For Punting Him Ahead Of Crown Jewel 2026

The American Nightmare promises to return Randy Orton's WrestleMania 42 punishment.© NDTV Library

Cody Rhodes is apologizing to Randy Orton's family before the two have even met in the ring at Crown Jewel. The Undisputed WWE Champion opened the October 30 episode of SmackDown with a heated promo and made it clear he wants payback for what Orton did to him at WrestleMania 42. Their Last Man Standing match is set for November 7 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Cody has promised to use Orton's own finishing move on him. He also warned that it could cost The Viper dearly. The stakes are big too, since the winner is set to become the No. 1 contender for the Undisputed WWE Championship, currently held by Sami Zayn.

"The last man standing will be the only man punting and that is ME!" @CodyRhodes is FIRED UP for Crown Jewel ???? https://t.co/ikajLFRhzH

— WWE (@WWE) October 31, 2026

Cody Rhodes warns Randy Orton about the punishment waiting for him at Crown Jewel

Rhodes spoke to Orton directly during the promo and didn't hide what he has planned. He apologized in advance to Orton's family and to WWE fans, and he specifically threatened to punt The Viper's head off. 

Honestly, it's not a random threat. Orton hit him with that signature punt kick at WrestleMania 42, which left Cody with a disfigured face, and now Rhodes wants to return the favor. He promised a receipt so costly that it would bankrupt Orton.

The whole thing goes back to that night. Rhodes retained the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42, but Orton attacked him once the match was over. 

The Crown Jewel bout got made on the October 23 SmackDown, when general manager Nick Aldis announced the two would meet at the event and Rhodes jumped in with the Last Man Standing stipulation. Orton accepted, telling him, “But remember, you asked for this.”

Rhodes shows his WrestleMania 42 injury and warns Orton that he will be the last man standing

Rhodes also held up a photograph of his own face after their WrestleMania 42 encounter, a reminder for Orton of what happened after their championship match. Then he gave the line that sums up his whole plan: “The last man standing will be the only man punting and that is ME!”

He went back over the history of the punt kick too, reminding everyone that The Viper has used it on several WWE wrestlers throughout his career. And Cody has already shown he's willing to use the move himself. 

On the October 16 episode of SmackDown, he punted Baron Corbin in front of Orton after their match ended in disqualification. A week later Orton questioned whether Rhodes would do the same thing to him.

Rhodes explained that this will be his first Last Man Standing match. The stipulation means no pinfalls, submissions or disqualifications, and a wrestler has to keep his opponent down for a ten-count to win.

Crown Jewel takes place on November 7 in Riyadh, with the Last Man Standing match on the announced card.