Randy Orton Makes Return On WWE SmackDown, Says He’s Coming For Cody Rhodes’ Title

Randy Orton is back, with the Viper making his return on this week’s episode of WWE Smackdown. Orton made his return to WWE TV on Friday’s show, ruining Miz’s evening before issuing a warning to Cody Rhodes.

The episode kicked off with Miz cutting a promo in which he said he was the locker room leader and had a number of grievances to air. He said that the current locker room doesn’t seek his guidance and complained that Joe Hendry ruined last week’s Smackdown for him.

Orton came out after Miz called himself the adult in the room filled with spoiled brats. Orton rejected Miz’s notion of a MizKO team up and laid out the A-Lister with an RKO.

Shortly after that segment, Orton found Rhodes backstage and said out of respect that he is coming for Rhodes’ WWE Undisputed Championship once Rhodes beats Drew McIntyre next week. You can see highlights from the segments below.

Randy Orton has not competed on WWE TV since the October 3rd episode of WWE Smackdown, when he and Rhodes lost to Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed in a tag team match.

The Miz is NOT READY to move on to 2026 👀@mikethemiz pic.twitter.com/DH8ozMRBEW

— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026

RANDY ORTON IS BACK!!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rgIh0ESrMX

— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026

RKO OUTTA NOWHERE!!!! 🙌@RandyOrton pic.twitter.com/sUgi2pyuDE

— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026

Randy Orton 🤝 Cody Rhodes pic.twitter.com/tch7zydnyu

— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026