WWE has confirmed that Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes will face off in an upcoming match at Sunday Night’s Main Event. This special event will be held live on September 6, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA.
Nick Aldis announced the Orton vs. Rhodes match, marking it as the first official contest for SNME.
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The decision not to wait for the Money in the Bank 2026 PLE was unexpected. Here, we explore three potential reasons why WWE opted to schedule Randy vs. Cody for Sunday Night’s Main Event 2026.
No World title matches have been announced for the show
No World title matches have been confirmed for Sunday Night’s Main Event. Roman Reigns is set to defend his title on September 14, 2026, on RAW in Mexico. Meanwhile, CM Punk, the Undisputed WWE Champion, will face Kevin Owens in the upcoming Toronto edition of SmackDown.
To ensure a major draw for SNME, WWE might have strategically announced The American Nightmare vs. The Viper for this event. With no World title match scheduled, this bout could be the main attraction of SNME 2026.
WWE may not want to wait until Money in the Bank
Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton have unresolved issues dating back to WrestleMania 42, when The Apex Predator attacked The Prodigal Son after a loss. With Money in the Bank still a month and a half away, maintaining the intensity of this rivalry without a match could be challenging.
The Triple H-led creative team might not want to delay until Money in the Bank, leading to the decision to hold this clash at Sunday Night’s Main Event. WWE could still arrange a trilogy match at the New Orleans premium live event.
Turning Cody Rhodes heel at WWE SNME
WWE has hinted at a heel turn for Cody Rhodes multiple times, but The American Nightmare has yet to officially change his character. On SmackDown, Rhodes resorted to a low blow against Orton to defend himself from a steel chair attack by the Legend Killer.
There is speculation that the TKO-led promotion aims to finally transition Cody into a heel role, which could be why they scheduled Orton vs. Rhodes for SNME in September 2026. If WWE schedules a third match between them at Money in the Bank, it might present a new dynamic, with Rhodes potentially having turned heel by then, adding a fresh twist to their feud.
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Edited by Shardul Sant
