Randy Orton has been in a heated rivalry with Drew McIntyre for over two months, but recent reports indicate that WWE faced booking uncertainty over their match heading into Wrestlepalooza 2025.
⚔️ Orton vs. McIntyre Confirmed for SmackDown
On the August 22 episode of SmackDown, Orton stunned the WWE Universe by delivering an RKO out of nowhere to Drew McIntyre. This reignited their feud and officially set up a match for September 12 on SmackDown in Norfolk, Virginia.
However, many expected their big showdown to happen at Wrestlepalooza.
📺 Dave Meltzer Explains the Situation
On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer revealed that uncertainty arose because of Cody Rhodes’ Hollywood filming schedule for Street Fighter.
WWE wasn’t sure whether Cody would return before or after September 20. As a result, the booking direction for Wrestlepalooza shifted:
“The Orton match was gonna take place first, but they didn’t know if they would do it on the pay-per-view. I know the Cody thing was up in the air, I presume it was because they didn’t know for a fact that he would be done filming by the 20th. That’s what I was told in the middle of the week. If he’s back, he’ll be on the card, and if he’s not, it’s gonna be Orton and Drew.” – Meltzer [H/T: WrestleTalk]
This suggests that Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre is WWE’s preferred match for Wrestlepalooza, leaving Orton to face Drew on SmackDown instead.
🎬 Cody Rhodes a Priority for Wrestlepalooza
With Wrestlepalooza 2025 being WWE’s first premium live event under the ESPN partnership, it makes sense for the company to secure The American Nightmare for the card.
If Cody returns in time, his clash with McIntyre would replace Orton’s planned role, keeping Orton’s SmackDown match as a way to wrap up loose ends.
With Drew McIntyre vs Randy Orton announced for this week's SmackDown, the plan is for McIntyre vs Cody Rhodes at WWE Wrestlepalooza after some uncertainty regarding Cody's schedule:
"Cody Rhodes is scheduled now for Wrestlepalooza against Drew McIntyre for the championship.… pic.twitter.com/GzUyPbz4u4
— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) September 8, 2025
🐍 Ric Flair Calls Randy Orton “Underutilized”
With Drew McIntyre vs Randy Orton announced for this week's SmackDown, the plan is for McIntyre vs Cody Rhodes at WWE Wrestlepalooza after some uncertainty regarding Cody's schedule:
"Cody Rhodes is scheduled now for Wrestlepalooza against Drew McIntyre for the championship.… pic.twitter.com/GzUyPbz4u4
Meanwhile, WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair shared his thoughts on Orton’s status in the company. Speaking to Complex, Flair praised Orton’s in-ring mastery, comparing him to Charlotte Flair in terms of timing and awareness:
“The only person who I think is close to her, when he is on and healthy, when you think about in-ring timing and knowing where you are all the time, is Randy Orton. Randy’s really underutilized. I don’t know why. I think maybe he made somebody mad along the way.”
Flair mentored Orton early in his career during Evolution, making his comments even more impactful.
🔥 Final Takeaway
The future of Orton vs. McIntyre at Wrestlepalooza depends entirely on Cody Rhodes’ Hollywood schedule. If Cody makes it back in time, expect him to headline against McIntyre — while Orton may need a fresh direction.
