The rumors are flying faster than a punt to the head: Randy Orton is reportedly in New York City this weekend for Fanatics Fest, even though his official appearances there got yanked. WrestleVotes on Fightful Select, with a shoutout to Derek Holloway from Ringside News, dropped the bomb that The Viper is expected to be in town. His scheduled autograph signings and photo ops were canceled, making everyone think he wasn’t showing up. But nope, that might not be the case.
The Viper’s Shadow Over SNME
If Orton is actually in NYC, then this isn’t just a casual visit; it screams that WWE wants to use him for Saturday Night’s Main Event at Madison Square Garden. And we know what that means for the main event. Cody Rhodes is teaming up with WWE champion CM Punk against Sami Zayn and Gunther. Remember WrestleMania 42? Orton lost his WWE Championship to Rhodes on Night 1, and what did he do right after? He laid Rhodes out with a punt to the head. That bad blood doesn’t just disappear.
So, if Orton is back, who’s in his crosshairs? It could absolutely be Cody again, looking for payback or just to mess with him. Or maybe he sets his sights on CM Punk, who’s holding the WWE Championship. We already know Punk vs. Rhodes for the WWE title is locked in for SummerSlam, but if Orton gets involved, he could totally throw a wrench into those plans. The stakes just got ridiculously high for an already massive match.
Nikki Bella’s Imminent Return Changes Everything
On the women’s side, get hyped because WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella’s return is reportedly “on the horizon” after four long months with an ankle injury. WrestleVotes on Fightful Select (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News) says she’s “progressing towards a return,” and her name has been “mentioned creatively” lately. That’s a huge sign her absence is almost over.
She was supposed to team with Brie Bella for a Fatal 4-Way for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania, but that ankle injury she got in late March during a tag match against Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss meant she wasn’t cleared. Paige stepped in, and she and Brie snagged those titles. They’ve had “several successful defenses” since then, and this weekend at SNME, they’re defending the belts against Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid of Fatal Influence. Imagine Nikki showing up at SNME! It would be the perfect spot to help “even the odds” by taking out Jacy Jayne, that third Fatal Influence member, if she tries to interfere. The division needs that spark.
Cardona or Ryder? The Debate Rages Backstage
Finally, let’s talk about Matt Cardona. He returned in January using his real name, but it sounds like a lot of people internally are still holding out hope he’ll go back to his Zack Ryder persona. WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select (h/t Felix Upton of Ringside News) spilled that some backstage folks wanted him to revert because the Ryder name already has serious “equity” with the WWE audience. A WWE source told WrestleVotes that “a lot of” people in creative were pushing hard for the Zack Ryder name and gimmick. But it’s believed Cardona himself wanted to stick with Matt Cardona. It’s a battle of identity, and you wonder if creative will ever get their way.
So, what’s next? This Saturday Night’s Main Event is shaping up to be absolutely wild. With Orton potentially lurking, Nikki Bella possibly making her comeback, and a huge title defense on the line, you absolutely cannot miss it. The whole landscape of WWE could shift this weekend, and I am here for every second of it!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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