The March 28, 2025, edition of WWE SmackDown delivered an electrifying moment when Randy Orton came dangerously close to hitting an RKO on Drew McIntyre—right in front of Cody Rhodes. The tension between these three superstars has been building for weeks, and Friday night’s show only added more fuel to the fire as WrestleMania looms closer.
The segment unfolded during the night’s main event, which saw Drew McIntyre take on Solo Sikoa in a grueling match. McIntyre, determined to prove his dominance ahead of the grandest stage of them all, fought with his signature intensity. The Scottish Warrior battled through Sikoa’s relentless offense and the inevitable interference from The Bloodline, but just as he was about to seal the victory with a devastating Claymore Kick, chaos erupted.
Randy Orton’s music hit, and the Apex Predator stormed down to the ring, immediately sending the crowd into a frenzy. His presence alone was enough to throw McIntyre off his game, allowing Sikoa to briefly regain control. Orton, however, wasn’t there for Solo—his eyes were locked on McIntyre. The tension between them has been brewing ever since McIntyre aligned himself with Cody Rhodes, forming a powerful yet uneasy alliance to counter The Bloodline.
As McIntyre managed to shake off Sikoa and secure the victory, Orton slid into the ring. The two locked eyes, and the energy in the arena became electric. Cody Rhodes, who had been watching from ringside, quickly jumped onto the apron, attempting to prevent any unnecessary escalation. But just as McIntyre took a step forward, Orton feigned an RKO, sending shockwaves through the WWE Universe.
McIntyre instinctively pushed Orton away, ready to strike, but Orton simply smirked—a classic move from the veteran, proving that he is always one step ahead. Cody stepped between them, trying to defuse the situation, but the damage was already done. The message was clear: Orton wasn’t going to play nice leading up to WrestleMania.
With all three men standing in the ring, the WWE Universe erupted in chants of “RKO!” as Orton and McIntyre continued their intense staredown. Cody, caught in the middle, knew that the situation could explode at any moment. Just as it seemed like things might escalate, Orton turned his back and exited the ring, leaving McIntyre fuming and Rhodes contemplating what this meant for their fragile alliance.
Backstage, WWE correspondent Kayla Braxton caught up with Orton, asking him about his actions. Orton, with his trademark smirk, simply stated, “I just wanted to remind Drew that I strike when you least expect it. And Cody… he better keep his eyes open, too.”
This moment added another layer to the already complex road to WrestleMania. With McIntyre and Rhodes trying to overcome The Bloodline, Orton’s unpredictable nature poses an entirely new challenge. Will Orton and McIntyre settle their differences before WrestleMania, or will Cody Rhodes find himself caught in the crossfire?
One thing is for certain—Randy Orton’s RKO is always just a second away, and both McIntyre and Rhodes know it.
