4 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (7 Aug - Results & Review)
3. Cody & Randy ‘Bring Their Worst’
Cody Rhodes told Randy Orton he’s “the only legend left in WWE”. Then, he followed up with this gem: “You call yourself the Legend Killer. So my question to you is this: Who kills you?”. Oh yes, Rhodes is at his best when he’s losing it like this and dispenses with the ‘happy to be here’ dignified poster boy kind of presentation. The heelish splashes he showed again here, like he did during the build towards SummerSlam with CM Punk, are very interesting.
Having Orton back also ups the star power on SmackDown significantly, which is another positive. Also, bonus: There was no Pat McAfee. His influence/presence strangled the feud heading into WrestleMania 42 earlier this year. A blow off grudge match between these guys could work well provided it actually results in some major character development for Cody in particular.
It'd be so satisfying to see him finally go full blown heel at the end of it by returning that punt from 'Mania just to be evil, for example. That's merely a fan spitballing some ideas, but it'd fit the tension between both guys nicely if he did something like that. Until then, Rhodes has to keep showing this kind of fire on the microphone rather than smiling and asking fans: "What do you wanna talk about?" like he's contractually obliged to do so (he might well be!).
Seeing "the worst" of Randy and Cody means seeing plenty of violence. Good. WWE could use a few feisty feuds that get full on dastardly rather than the kind of sniping potshots Rhodes and Punk took at one another pre-SummerSlam.