Randy Orton vs Cody Rhodes is the perfect post-WrestleMania feud

If Cody Rhodes walks out of WrestleMania with the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, Randy Orton should be waiting for him on the other side. 

The biggest show of the year is a few short days away. WrestleMania 39 is set to feature some of the biggest matches available in WWE, bringing an end to multiple storylines from the last few months and years. One such saga coming to a close is Cody Rhodes’s lifelong quest to become WWE Champion. Expectations are that he will come out of Night Two with the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship around his waist. If that is the case, there should be an interesting name in Randy Orton waiting for him on the other side.

If Rhodes picks up the championship as many seem to expect, the “what next” will be a big step for WWE. WrestleMania brings to close many of the things that have been in play for years. Post-WrestleMania will be the start of a “fresh” take on WWE booking with Triple H reportedly in charge of a creative direction that is his vision entirely. What happens with a new champion in Cody Rhodes is a big part of that.

One thing that has worked with Rhodes’s return is the story that is involved in everything he does. Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes have a story linked to Roman’s relationship with Dusty Rhodes. That story goes even deeper with Rhodes’s relationship with Randy Orton. Orton comes from the same type of lineage as Rhodes and they share a strong legacy due to their time together in the faction of the same name.

Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes have a story to tell

Imagine Rhodes standing in the ring alone at the end of WWE Raw the next night. As he stands there, getting showered with praise from the audience. Orton’s music hits and he makes his way down to the ring, just for the show to end before any words or actions can occur. Orton has been out of action for nearly a year. As rumors of his potential return continue to bubble, he’d fit in perfectly as the top foil for the new champion.

WWE has improved in some ways with its ability to tell stories. While there is a lot of growth needed in that area, Cody Rhodes’s return and rise to the top help that matter. The next chapter in his climb should be dedicated to Randy Orton, as both men have the history and abilities to build to something great in the weeks and months to come.