The August 21 edition of WWE SmackDown live from Toronto delivered an explosive opening segment, escalating the personal rivalry between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton as the two stars prepare to collide.
Following a recap package highlighting their recent clashes, the broadcast shifted backstage where Sami Zayn was seen in a heated exchange with SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis. Operating with a broken hand, a frustrated Zayn demanded justice and questioned whether Orton was actively blocking his opportunities. Orton appeared behind Zayn shortly after, but their brief standoff was cut short as Rhodes’ voice echoed from the ring, prompting Aldis and Orton to head toward the aisle.
Nick Aldis Enforces Strict Ultimatum
Inside the ring, Aldis confronted Rhodes, reminding the Undisputed WWE Champion that the chaotic fallout from the previous week nearly led to catastrophe. Orton soon joined them, making a direct promise to “whoop” Rhodes in front of his family and hometown fans when they meet in Atlanta.
When Rhodes challenged Orton to settle their issues immediately, Aldis stepped in to maintain order. To ensure neither man jeopardized the high-stakes Cody Rhodes vs Randy Orton Sunday Night’s Main Event match, the General Manager announced a major stipulation: if Rhodes or Orton physically touches the other before their official bout, the aggressor will be permanently banned from receiving another World Championship opportunity.
Verbal Warfare and Personal Shots
Orton quickly agreed to the terms, noting that he would not risk his pursuit of becoming a 15-time World Champion and sarcastically instructing the audience to refer to him as “Mr. Professional.”
Shifting his focus back to Rhodes, Orton addressed the previous week’s steel chair incident. Orton claimed that while Rhodes stopped himself from swinging, it wasn’t due to outside interference, but because Rhodes lacked the killer instinct to follow through. Orton highlighted his own willingness to “go there,” pointing out how easily he smashed Rhodes with a chair in the past while labeling Rhodes as nothing more than an “American Daydream.”
Rhodes immediately fired back, stating that Orton was operating under a dangerous assumption about why he held back. Closing the segment on an intense note, Rhodes referenced Orton’s championship ambitions before delivering a classic Paul Heyman-style warning, stating that what happens to Orton in Atlanta is not a prediction, but a spoiler.
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