3 Reasons why WWE booked Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes for Sunday Night’s Main Event 2026

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It was a big surprise that the company didn’t wait until Money in the Bank 2026 PLE. In this listicle, we will be looking at three possible reasons why the sports entertainment juggernaut booked Randy vs. Cody for Sunday Night’s Main Event 2026.

#3 No World title matches have been announced for the show

No World title matches have been announced for Sunday Night’s Main Event. Roman Reigns is set for a title defense on September 14, 2026, on RAW in Mexico. Talking about CM Punk, the Undisputed WWE Champion will defend the gold against Kevin Owens in the forthcoming Toronto edition of SmackDown.

Considering that SNME needs a big match to attract an audience, WWE may have preferred to announce The American Nightmare vs. The Viper for this show. Also, with no World title match currently announced, this match could be the main highlight of SNME 2026.

#2 WWE may not want to wait until Money in the Bank

Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton have had unfinished business since WrestleMania 42, when The Apex Predator attacked The Prodigal Son after losing to him. As of now, MITB this year is almost one and a half months away, making it difficult for the company to keep this feud going at the same pace without a match until then.

As the Triple H-led creative regime may not want to wait until Money in the Bank, this could be the reason they announced this showdown for Sunday Night’s Main Event. Even now, WWE has the opportunity to book a trilogy match between them at the New Orleans premium live event.

#1 Turning Cody Rhodes heel at WWE SNME

WWE has teased Cody Rhodes’ heel turn multiple times, but the former Undisputed WWE Champion is yet to officially switch characters. The American Nightmare attacked Orton with a low blow on SmackDown to protect himself from the Legend Kil*er’s steel chair shot.

There is a scenario where the TKO-led promotion wants to finally turn Cody into a heel star, and this could be why they announced Orton vs. Rhodes for SNME in September 2026.

Later, if WWE books a third match between them at Money in the Bank, it will be a different bout, as Rhodes might have already turned heel by then, adding a new twist to their rivalry.

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