20-Time WWE Champion Tipped To Challenge Cody Rhodes At WrestleMania

20-time WWE Champion Randy Orton facing Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 42 has become a hot topic among WWE fans and insiders alike.

Speaking on his NotSam Wrestling podcast, Sam Roberts stated he believes Orton would make a perfect opponent for Rhodes next year, possibly with a big character turn setting up the rivalry. According to Roberts, the plan could see The Apex Predator turning heel early in 2026, setting up a much-anticipated clash at the WrestleMania event.

Randy Orton’s Heel Turn On Cody Rhodes Would Mirror Andre The Giant’s Heel Turn on Hulk Hogan

Roberts said Orton’s potential heel turn would echo legendary angles like Andre the Giant’s turn against Hulk Hogan, where a long wait for a title opportunity fueled intense emotions. Orton’s story fits this pattern well. In 2025, he patiently waited through Cody Rhodes’ first championship run without getting a shot.

Then, after The American Nightmare lost the title, Orton got a chance from John Cena, only for Rhodes to regain the title soon after, leaving The Viper without a proper championship opportunity once again. This build-up would create a natural, justified reason for Orton to turn against Cody.

Randy Orton would be a fabulous opponent for Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania. I think at some point Randy Orton turns next year, early next year, and we get to Randy Orton versus Cody Rhodes, and whether Randy maybe Randy wins the elimination chamber, and then he makes it, you know, seem like it’s going to be all good.

I mean, you know, like I said, I’ve said this a million times, but Randy and Cody, you can go full Andre Hogan. Randy Orton’s turn can be as elaborate as Andre the Giant’s turn because it’s justified. Randy Orton waited the entire year of the first Cody title run. Never got a shot. Then Cody lost the title. Randy got a shot immediately after Cody lost the title.

John Cena gave Randy the first title shot. But then what happened? Cody wins the title back at SummerSlam. Randy still hasn’t gotten an opportunity at the title. Why, if John Cena was champion, can Randy get a shot at the title within a month? And when Cody’s the champion, it never comes. It’s literally the Wrestlemania 3 buildup. Andre was the best. Andre was undefeated. Andre was everything except he was Hogan’s friend. And Hogan would never defend the title against Andre.

So what does Andre have to do? Turn heel and take everything from Hogan. It’s the same story between Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes. So, I think but I I think that that’s so good it should be WrestleMania. I don’t think that has anything to do with what’s going on now. In the meantime, I think there are a couple of things that you could do (From 47:13)