Randy Orton made a surprise return at SummerSlam, attacking Cody Rhodes and allowing CM Punk to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Orton entered through the crowd after Rhodes inadvertently took out referee Charles Robinson during the closing stretch of the match. He slipped into the ring, dropped Rhodes with an RKO and immediately left.
Neither Punk nor Robinson saw the attack. Punk returned to the ring, delivered a GTS and pinned Rhodes as the referee recovered, retaining the championship at 29:44.
Orton had not appeared on WWE programming since losing an Undisputed WWE Championship match to Rhodes at WrestleMania 42 on April 18. He attacked Rhodes with the championship belt and punted him after that defeat.
Reports during Orton’s absence attributed it to the long-standing back issue that previously required fusion surgery.
Saturday’s championship match began with Punk targeting Rhodes’ left arm. Rhodes later shifted his focus to Punk’s knee after the champion appeared to hurt it while landing a leg lariat.
Rhodes applied a figure-four leglock, while Punk twice countered with the Anaconda Vice. Punk also survived a Cross Rhodes and several springboard attacks, including a Super Cody Cutter.
Punk eventually landed the GTS, but damage to his knee delayed the cover and allowed Rhodes to kick out. A second GTS brought another near fall when Rhodes reached the bottom rope.
The champion then placed Rhodes on an announce table and attempted an elbow drop from the top rope. Rhodes moved, sending Punk through the table and causing further damage to his knee.
Back inside, Rhodes attempted another Cody Cutter. Punk avoided it, and Rhodes collided with Robinson.
Punk hit a GTS while the referee was down, but Rhodes rebounded from the ropes onto his shoulders. Rhodes escaped a second attempt and delivered Cross Rhodes, sending Punk rolling from the ring.
Orton then appeared, delivered the RKO and departed through the crowd. Punk took advantage without seeing what had happened, finishing Rhodes with the GTS.
The attack renewed Orton’s issue with Rhodes while preserving Punk’s championship reign.
