Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes meet again in a big match at WrestleMania 42. Their rivalry mixes real-life friendship and on-screen drama that goes back more than a decade.
How it began: Legacy and early days
Cody Rhodes debuted on the WWE main roster in 2007. Randy Orton was his first opponent on TV, a sign the company had big plans for Rhodes. Instead of a long feud, Rhodes joined Orton and Ted DiBiase Jr. to form the group Legacy.
Legacy became one of the top factions on Raw. Rhodes and DiBiase took many losses and helped build Orton’s status as the lead star. The exposure helped the younger wrestlers win tag team titles and take part in major storylines, including a feud with D-Generation X.
Singles feuds and high stakes matches
Legacy eventually broke up, and Rhodes and Orton fought as singles stars. At WrestleMania 26, Orton won a triple-threat match involving Rhodes, showing his dominance at the time. Years later, the rivalry turned personal again.
In 2013 the two had several matches. One key singles match came when Triple H put Rhodes’ career on the line. Orton won that match, and Rhodes left TV for personal reasons shortly after.
Real-life bond: mentor and friend
Off screen, Orton and Rhodes became close. Orton guided Rhodes early in his career. Rhodes has said Orton was an important mentor and that he wanted to be like him. Orton has also praised Rhodes, saying Rhodes helped keep him on track when needed and even looked after him on the road.
Both men have spoken warmly about their time together. Their real friendship adds depth to their matches and helps explain why their feud works so well on TV.
Now: WrestleMania 42 and recent results
Since Cody Rhodes returned at WrestleMania 38, the two men mostly stayed apart on TV. That changed when Rhodes beat Orton in the King of the Ring final at Night of Champions 2025. That win set Rhodes up for a WWE Championship match at SummerSlam, where he beat John Cena to regain the title.
On SmackDown recently, Orton appeared to turn heel after snapping at Rhodes during a promo. He also aligned with Pat McAfee on TV, which has added an odd twist to the story. Fans still cheer Orton, but the feud is set: Rhodes and Orton will main event Night One of WrestleMania 42 for the WWE Championship.
| Fighter | Recent Result |
|---|---|
| Cody Rhodes | Beat Randy Orton at Night of Champions 2025; won WWE Title at SummerSlam |
| Randy Orton | Lost to Cody Rhodes at Night of Champions 2025; earlier beat Rhodes at WrestleMania 26 (triple threat) |
Their shared history — from mentor and protégé to bitter opponents — makes this WrestleMania match more than a title fight. It is a long story with real emotion, and fans expect a big match no matter how the story is staged.
