CM Punk & Bronson Reed React to Randy Orton Leaving Cody Rhodes a Bloody Mess on SmackDown

Last night’s SmackDown featured a banger main event in which Randy Orton finally listened to the voices in his head and destroyed Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes during their contract signing segment.

The Viper left The American Nightmare a bloody mess and closed out the show, sitting in the middle of the ring with the WWE Championship in his grasp. Following the events of SmackDown, WWE released the pictures of a beaten and battered Cody on their social media accounts, and this prompted reactions from World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk and The Vision’s Bronson Reed on Instagram.

“WHAT HAPPENED?!” asked Punk.

Meanwhile, Bronson Reed predictably rejoiced at the state of Rhodes, as he wrote, “Lol!”

Bronson Reed's reaction to Randy Orton attacking Cody Rhodes on WWE SmackDown pic.twitter.com/2UNKLLIQ2f

— WrestleSD (@wrestle_sd) March 14, 2026

Reed is currently out of action due to a bicep injury he suffered during a Triple Threat Match against Jey Uso and OG El Grande Americano on the February 23 episode of Monday Night RAW. Meanwhile, Punk is currently embroiled in a deeply personal rivalry with Roman Reigns. He will defend his title against The Tribal Chief at WrestleMania 42.

Cody Rhodes, on the other hand, will defend the Undisputed WWE Title against Randy Orton. With The Viper having turned heel, the dynamic to their faceoff has completely changed, and it will be interesting to see how Rhodes responds to the betrayal in the leadup to The Show of Shows.

You can check out WWE’s post and the comments from CM Punk & Bronson Reed HERE.