WWE appears to be playing the long game with the Undisputed WWE Championship scene, deliberately delaying massive title feuds for CM Punk against Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton.
According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE creative is intentionally keeping Rhodes and Orton tied up in their own personal rivalry rather than rushing either back into the immediate title picture.
Saving Blockbuster Matches For Premium Stages
Meltzer explained that WWE is holding Punk vs. Rhodes and Punk vs. Orton for larger premium live events down the line. The creative direction was simplified by the fact that Rhodes and Orton explicitly wanted to continue working together on television following their recent series of encounters.
- “WWE doesn’t plan to put either man back into the immediate title picture, allowing Punk to work with other challengers while those two matches remain on ice.”
This strategy frees Punk to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against a rotating list of upper-midcard contenders. Sami Zayn is slated to challenge Punk on Friday Night SmackDown in Mexico, while names like Gunther, Kevin Owens, and Johnny Gargano remain options in the interim rotation.
Deep History Between Rhodes & Orton
The lingering animosity between Rhodes and Orton has built up over several months:
- WrestleMania 42 (April 18): Rhodes defeated Orton to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship, but Orton leveled him with a post-match Punt Kick.
- SummerSlam (August 2): Orton returned and interfered in Rhodes’ championship match against Punk, striking Rhodes with an RKO to allow Punk to capitalize with a GTS for the win.
- Sunday Night’s Main Event (September 6): Orton secured a victory over Rhodes by capitalizing on a moment of hesitation with a low blow and RKO.
Rather than fast-tracking the winner back to Punk, WWE is content letting the heat between Rhodes and Orton simmer while keeping their top-tier title program in reserve.
Badrose Thorns
Protecting your marquee matches for major shows is basic Booking 101, but keeping CM Punk’s title reign populated with short-term television opponents runs the risk of stalling the belt’s momentum.
Rhodes vs. Orton is easily the most compelling personal feud on SmackDown right now, but if WWE bakes these matches in the oven for too long, fans might start to think that it doesn’t make much sense in having a feud that’s effectively more important than the fight for the top championship.
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