Speculation Builds Over Potential Allies For Randy Orton In Cody Rhodes Feud

Randy Orton’s rivalry with Cody Rhodes has escalated after Rhodes came up short on cashing in a chance to strike Orton during Sunday Night’s Main Event, then used his SmackDown platform to promise he won’t hesitate the next time an opportunity arises. With ‘The American Nightmare’ sounding more determined than ever to finish the job, chatter has picked up around whether ‘The Viper’ might need to lean on some backup from the WWE locker room to even the odds.

Three names have emerged as candidates who could plausibly align with Orton in the weeks ahead, though nothing has been confirmed on WWE programming.

The most talked-about option is NXT standout Myles Borne, who has been positioning himself as a ruthless operator after turning heel and attacking former tag partner Tavion Heights on the September 15 episode of NXT. Borne’s icy, calculated approach has drawn comparisons to Orton’s own methods for years, and a mentorship angle upon his main roster call-up would give WWE a built-in storyline. There’s an added layer of irony given Cody Rhodes himself once came up under Orton’s wing — meaning Orton could offer Borne a very personal perspective on what that dynamic actually entails.

Ricky Saints is another intriguing possibility, largely because of his real-world closeness with Rhodes — a relationship WWE has notably avoided acknowledging on television. Saints instead made his mark upon returning to the brand by confronting Rhodes directly on the May 1 episode of SmackDown. With Saints struggling to find consistent TV time on the blue brand, throwing in with a bigger name could reignite his push — and given his insider knowledge of Rhodes, he’d be positioned to feed Orton information that could help set up an ambush.

Then there’s Drew McIntyre, who hasn’t appeared on WWE television in five months following his program with Jacob Fatu. McIntyre has his own grudge with Rhodes, since Cody was the one who denied him a walk into WrestleMania 42 as Undisputed WWE Champion with a showdown against Orton on the line. A shared enemy could be enough to bring Orton and McIntyre together, at least until one of them gets his hands on the title.

Whether any of this comes to pass remains to be seen, and WWE has given no on-screen indication that Orton is actively recruiting help. But the timing lines up with a stacked SmackDown main event scene, and adding fresh bodies to the Rhodes-Orton saga would only raise the stakes in a feud that’s clearly building toward something bigger. If Rhodes really does intend to strike without hesitation next time, Orton having numbers on his side would make for a natural counter — and it would give WWE a way to weave in underused talent like Saints, Borne, or a returning McIntyre without forcing a rushed one-on-one resolution.

For now, fans will be watching SmackDown closely to see whether Orton makes any real moves toward assembling support, or whether Rhodes gets his shot to make good on his warning first.