5 Directions for Cody Rhodes on WWE SmackDown this week

The May 30, edition of WWE SmackDown will feature Cody Rhodes making an appearance on the Friday Night Show. Last week, Rhodes cut a strong promo after retaining his title at WrestleMania 42 against Randy Orton.

The Viper was not present on the show last week, and it is unclear whether he will make his return to television this week either. As a result, there are several things that The American Nightmare could do tonight on SmackDown.

While he has been advertised for the show, what he will be doing is up for speculation. On that note, here are five things that Cody Rhodes could do tonight on the blue-branded show.

#5. He could have a segment with Ricky Saints

The former NXT Champion is set to make his main roster debut tonight on SmackDown. It isn’t clear whether he will only be cutting a promo, or be competing in a match against another superstar on the blue brand.

Rhodes and Saints are good friends in real life, and their relationship could be acknowledged tonight on the show once he arrives. The Absolute star had an incredible run on NXT, winning both the brand’s singles titles. Rhodes could run into the former AEW star while arriving in the arena and they could be shown catching up. Saints could tell Rhodes that he will have his back no matter what, giving him another ally once he starts a feud for the Undisputed WWE Championship again.

#4. Cody Rhodes could face Ricky Saints in his main roster debut

Instead of merely having a backstage segment, Ricky Saints could be put in action right away. The former NXT Champion could face his real-life friend Cody Rhodes in his very first match as a full-time member of the main roster.

Rhodes might end up getting the win, the same way he did during Carmelo Hayes’ first match on SmackDown after he was called up to the main roster. Regardless, Hayes ended up earning a lot of momentum despite the loss, and the same could happen with Saints tonight.

It would offer Rhodes something meaningful to do tonight, while also putting the spotlight on Saints on his very first night on the main roster.

#3. Cody Rhodes could start a new feud for the Undisputed WWE Championship

Although Randy Orton has been advertised for tonight’s edition of SmackDown, it is unclear whether he will indeed be returning on the show. If he doesn’t make a comeback just yet, WWE could pivot and have Cody Rhodes start a new feud for his Undisputed WWE Championship.

Perhaps an upstart like Ricky Saints could challenge for the title right away by turning heel. Or, it could be Matt Cardona as well, who is also a good friend of Cody Rhodes’. Alternatively, it could be someone like Royce Keys, after he won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royale on the go-home edition of WWE SmackDown before WrestleMania.

However, the chances of it happening are less likely, considering Orton destroyed Cody Rhodes with a Punt Kick after he lost the Undisputed WWE Championship match in Las Vegas.

#2. Cody Rhodes could call out Randy Orton

Still sporting a black eye, it is clear that The American Nightmare hasn’t forgotten what his former teammate did to him at WrestleMania 42. Even though he walked out of the show still the Undisputed WWE Champion, he lost the war.

Last week, Rhodes claimed that he was not a hard man to find, but hard to beat. Tonight, he could be more specific with his promo and call out Orton directly. Rhodes acknowledged that his WrestleMania opponent was not in attendance last week, but could be more aggressive and pick up where he left off last week.

This could prompt the two to finally come face-to-face and have a verbal battle without any outside interference.

#1. Randy Orton could ambush Cody Rhodes and write him off television

By the looks of things, Cody Rhodes will not be competing at the Backlash Premium Live Event since he doesn’t have a feud ready. WWE could end all speculation of Rhodes featuring at the event by having Randy Orton return to television tonight.

Instead of slowly making his way to the ring during his entrance to confront his rival, Orton might choose a different route. He could sneak in through the crowd and attack Rhodes, writing him off television for the foreseeable future. This could prompt one of Rhodes’ allies in Matt Cardona or Ricky Saints to intervene.

Eventually, Rhodes could be written off television for the next few weeks while Randy Orton feuds with either of the two. It remains to be seen whether The QB1 of WWE will take time off ahead of Backlash, or whether he will renew his feud with Randy Orton tonight itself.