Cody Rhodes will face Randy Orton at WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event on September 6 in Atlanta, Georgia.
SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis confirmed the match in a social media video on Saturday. It will take place at State Farm Arena and is the first match announced for the show.
Aldis said he had followed through on a promise made to Rhodes during Friday’s episode of SmackDown. Rhodes told the general manager that he wanted a match with Orton, and Aldis suggested Sunday Night’s Main Event in Atlanta as the venue.
That conversation led to an exchange with Sami Zayn, who objected to Rhodes seemingly being granted what he wanted while Zayn continued seeking another WWE Championship opportunity.
Aldis subsequently arranged Rhodes against Zayn for later in the show, with the winner in line to challenge the winner of CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens for the Undisputed WWE Championship. The match never began, as Orton attacked Rhodes during Zayn’s entrance. Rhodes and Orton brawled around ringside and into the crowd as SmackDown went off the air.
Their rivalry resumed at SummerSlam on August 1, when Orton made a surprise return during Rhodes’ championship match with Punk. Orton hit Rhodes with an RKO while the referee was down, allowing Punk to retain the title.
Rhodes confronted Orton on the following week’s SmackDown and demanded an explanation for the attack, beginning the build toward their first singles match since Orton’s return.
Sunday Night’s Main Event takes place on September 6 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. WWE lists the broadcast for 8 pm ET on Peacock in the United States and YouTube internationally.
BREAKING NEWS:
At @WWE Sunday Night's Main Event on September 6th in Atlanta GA, @CodyRhodes goes 1-on-1 with @RandyOrton. pic.twitter.com/aFpNqc7beF
— Nick Aldis (@RealNickAldis) August 15, 2026
