Why did WWE opt for Cody Rhodes to feud with Randy Orton instead of another rematch with CM Punk?

Randy Orton’s attack cost Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam.

Undisputed Champion CM Punk defended the title against ‘The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam in early August. The match featured Randy Orton’s return, who, in his first WWE appearance since losing to Rhodes at WrestleMania 42, attacked the American Nightmare.

WWE chose to revive the feud between Cody and Orton, and the two even battled at last week’s Sunday Night’s Main Event. However, the match finish left many fans wondering why WWE chose not to continue the feud between Cody and Punk for the title.

A new update from Dave Meltzer in the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio has now revealed the reason behind WWE opting to revive the Cody-Randy feud instead of continuing the title feud between Rhodes and Punk or even book Orton against Punk and have him chase his 15th World title.

WWE is intentionally keeping Cody Rhodes & Randy Orton away from CM Punk

According to Meltzer, WWE is intentionally choosing to have Cody Rhodes feud with Randy Orton to keep both Cody and Orton away from Punk, who can then work with names like Sami Zayn, Gunther, and other stars on the SmackDown brand.

Meltzer added that WWE is trying to save booking Cody or Orton against Punk for later and a bigger show. He also noted that Rhodes and Orton were keen on working together, which is why they’re currently in a program together.

“Just doing something to keep Cody away from Punk for a while and Randy away from Punk for a while as well, And so Punk can be working with Zayn and Gunther and whoever else.

They’re trying to save those guys for later, bigger shows. So, I think that’s the gist of it and Cody and Orton have been wanting to work together anyway, so they’re doing a program.”

[H/T: WrestlingInc.com]

Rhodes and Orton are 1-1 in their current feud. Cody defeated Orton at WrestleMania 42 to retain the Undisputed title, while Orton defeated the American Nightmare at SNME.

On the other hand, CM Punk is currently set to defend the Undisputed title against Sami Zayn on the September 11 edition of SmackDown in Mexico City.

This will be the rematch from their first meeting on 6 July Raw, where Punk returned for the first time since WrestleMania 42 and replaced Cody after the latter failed to get medical clearance following an attack by Gunther. Punk defeated Zayn, ending his title reign at just 9 days.

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