Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes have formed a partnership in recent weeks on WWE SmackDown, battling against The Vision faction.
The duo were once mentor and mentee in the Legacy faction, just a couple of years after Rhodes made his debut.
On the October 3 edition of SmackDown, Paul Heyman cut a promo on the pair, warning that their alliance would not last – stating that it was “not a prediction, but a prophecy.”
If history is any guide, it will be career heel Orton who turns on Rhodes – and here are five ways a Randy Orton WWE heel turn could play out.
5. More Seeds For Randy Orton Turn Planted At Crown Jewel
Seeds have already been planted for an eventual Randy Orton heel turn on Cody Rhodes: at WWE Night of Champions in June, during the finals of the King of the Ring, Orton and Rhodes met, with Rhodes eventually picking up the victory after Orton declined to punt him in the head.
Since then, Orton has admitted his hesitation and has been repeatedly caught glancing at Rhodes’ WWE Title.
At Crown Jewel in Perth we could see more signs of tension as Rhodes meets Seth Rollins in the main event of the show.
The bout is certain to feature interference from The Vision, and Orton will likely join the fray to even the odds, but just as easily, he could plant the next seed of betrayal by delivering a not-so-accidental RKO to Rhodes.
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4. Randy Orton Turns On Cody Rhodes During WarGames
With WarGames now an annual tradition at WWE Survivor Series, the event on November 29 looks certain to feature the team cage battle once again.
While the participants are not yet confirmed, it seems likely given current storylines that The Vision – possibly joined by Brock Lesnar – will square off against a team that includes Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton and perhaps even Roman Reigns.
This high-stakes clash could be the perfect stage for Orton to formally turn on his partner.
At the event, we may even see Orton take the opportunity to punt Rhodes in the head, setting them on a collision course for the WWE Championship.
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3. Randy Orton Forms New Faction
Cody Rhodes was first introduced to WWE as part of Randy Orton’s Legacy faction alongside Ted DiBiase Jr.
Could history repeat itself with Orton once again looking to recreate a new heel faction with a pair of younger proteges?
In the past, Orton has spoken highly of Austin Theory, and earlier this year he gave glowing praise to NXT star Myles Borne, who has frequently drawn comparisons to Orton himself.
Orton’s heel turn storyline could be supercharged by the introduction of a new faction made up of Theory and the super-talented Borne.
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2. Randy Orton Challenges For The Undisputed WWE Title At Royal Rumble
In storyline, Randy Orton’s punt would likely keep Cody Rhodes out of action through the end of the year.
Rhodes could then make his return to television in January to challenge Orton and seek revenge.
This would set up a clash at the Royal Rumble, with Orton securing a shot at Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE Championship.
However, with interference from Orton’s newly-formed faction, the match could end with a disputed finish, keeping the feud alive.
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1. Last Man Standing At Elimination Chamber
Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes’ feud – the battle of former mentor and mentee – looks likely to culminate at Elimination Chamber.
One of WWE’s most dependable stipulations, a Last Man Standing match, could be used to settle the rivalry once and for all.
With Rhodes almost certain to feature in the main event of WrestleMania, it feels unlikely that he will take the loss here.
Even in defeat, however, Orton’s failure to capture the WWE Title would still mark the beginning of a strong and compelling new heel run.
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