Cody Rhodes to return on WWE SmackDown and be a part of John Cena vs. Randy Orton at Backlash? Exploring the potential

Tonight's WWE SmackDown episode will be the final episode before this year's Backlash Premium Live Event, which will feature John Cena vs. Randy Orton. However, Cody Rhodes' presence might also be felt on the upcoming episode to set up an appearance this weekend.

John Cena defeated Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41, and the latter hasn't been seen on television since then. Although The American Nightmare is not present to challenge The Last Real Champion, Randy Orton emerged and set up a title match at the upcoming Backlash event this weekend. Interestingly, recent reports have suggested that Rhodes might return at the premium live event. However, he can appear tonight on WWE SmackDown instead and get involved in the title match by making himself the guest referee.

On the upcoming Friday show, Cena is set to appear before he clashes with Orton this weekend. While both men are confronting each other, Cody can return and say that since Orton is someone close to him, he wants to ensure that The Viper will be given the fairness he deserves. As a result, he could talk to Nick Aldis and make himself the guest referee.

Look who just shut down all of Tony Khan's critics! More HERE.

Rhodes and Cena can build tension for a future rematch if this happens. At the end of the match, The Viper can even turn heel against Cody if he refuses to be in favor with Randy and remain fair, causing John to retain the title.

Who does former WWE writer think will dethrone John Cena between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton?

SummerSlam is one of WWE's big four premium live events, which is why John Cena being involved in another major title match is highly likely. Interestingly, Freddie Prinze Jr. thinks Cody Rhodes will dethrone the current champion.

On the former WWE writer's Wrestling with Freddie podcast, Freddie Prinze Jr. predicted that Cody Rhodes would wrestle John Cena again at SummerSlam to regain the Undisputed WWE Championship.

"This gives Cody another hill to climb because they're gonna wrestle again at SummerSlam and Cody's gonna win the title back and get it back because he's the new John Cena. So, he's getting it back."

It will be interesting to see what will happen at the upcoming Backlash Premium Live Event between John Cena and Randy Orton.

About the author

Hazel is a WWE features writer for Sportskeeda Wrestling. Currently a BS Psychology student in her third year, she ensures that multiple accurate and reliable sources back every piece of information in her articles. She phrases even mundane information in her own words, especially when using single sources like books or social media posts, to add a hint of personal touch.

Hazel has had a penchant for writing since high school. Apart from pursuing Humanities and Social Sciences for her senior year, she attended classes about creative and nonfiction writing. In 2019, Hazel started working as a ghostwriter, and three years later, she began working for Sportskeeda. In 2023, she became a published author under 8letters Books Publishing House. Even today, when she is not studying as a pre-med student or writing for Sportskeeda, she enjoys reading and writing novels.

Her favorite wrestlers are Edge and Randy Orton. She recalls watching John Cena vs Big Show vs Edge in WrestleMania 25 in her first wrestling match. Hazel enjoyed the entrances, and what got her hooked was how cool and ruthless Edge was and how John Cena never backed down from his challenges.

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Edited by Hazel Pagador