Cody Rhodes got more than he bargained for. This isn’t just a wrestling match being built; it’s a calculated deconstruction of a hero narrative, and WWE is leaning *hard* into making Orton the villain we love to hate. The request for a darker, more dangerous Orton wasn’t just a storyline ask – it was a strategic gamble to inject genuine unpredictability into a WrestleMania main event that, frankly, needed it.
- The Bella Twins’ return feels less organic and more like a nostalgia play to boost ratings in the women’s tag team division.
- Orton’s heel turn, while predictable, is expertly executed, capitalizing on his history and Rhodes’ trust.
- The Jacob Fatu/Drew McIntyre feud is a slow burn, but the booking suggests McIntyre is being positioned for a sympathetic comeback story.
Orton embraces the darkness
The brilliance here isn’t in the turn itself, but in *how* it happened. Rhodes essentially dared Orton to unleash his inner demons, and Orton, to his credit, delivered with chilling efficiency. This isn’t a simple betrayal; it’s a psychological dismantling. The brief moments of regret Orton displayed only amplify the unsettling nature of his descent. WWE is playing with fire, making Orton genuinely unlikable, and it’s working. The image of Orton cradling Rhodes’ head against the steel steps, then casually sitting with the title on his lap… that’s a statement. It’s a visual declaration of dominance and a rejection of the friendly, veteran persona he’d cultivated.
The involvement of Jelly Roll adds another layer. It’s a smart move to include a celebrity friend of both men, raising the stakes and making the attack feel more personal. It’s a calculated risk, potentially alienating some of Roll’s fanbase, but the payoff in terms of heat for Orton is significant.
This feels like a long-term investment in Orton’s character. He’s been a reliable, if somewhat predictable, face for years. Now, WWE is giving him the space to be truly menacing, and it’s a welcome change. The grade of B+ feels fair – it’s a safe move, yes, but a well-executed one that has instantly elevated the WrestleMania match. The question now is whether WWE can sustain this momentum and avoid falling into predictable tropes.
Elsewhere on SmackDown, the other matches are building, but none carry the same weight as Rhodes/Orton. Cargill’s win sets up a clash with Ripley, but the focus will undoubtedly remain on the unfolding drama between Rhodes and his former mentor. Expect a lot of promo time and carefully crafted segments designed to further solidify Orton’s heel turn in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania.
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