RANDY ORTON RETURNS TO WWE AT SUMMERSLAM, INTERFERES IN CODY RHODES MATCH
Randy Orton returned to WWE competition at SummerSlam and intervened during a match between Cody Rhodes and CM Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Orton entered the ring during the bout and struck Rhodes with an RKO, according to reports. The move left Rhodes unable to defend himself against Punk's subsequent offensive manoeuvre, a GTS move that Punk executed for the fifth time during the match.
The match itself lasted approximately half an hour, with both Rhodes and Punk competing intensely for the championship title. Orton's involvement marked a notable moment at the event. Rhodes, who is married to Brandi Rhodes, co-hosts a podcast with her entitled "What Do You Wanna Talk About? With Cody Rhodes", in which Brandi maintains a regular segment called "A Shot of Brandi".
Orton's return to in-ring action represented a significant development in WWE programming. Brandi Rhodes, who retired from in-ring competition in 2022 but remains involved in wrestling through media and promotional work, was reported to have attended the event. The interference in the championship match altered the outcome of the bout between Rhodes and Punk.