Cody Rhodes punts Baron Corbin as Randy Orton watches on SmackDown
Cody Rhodes punted Baron Corbin in the head as Randy Orton looked on to end WWE SmackDown on Friday, CBS Sports and 411MANIA reported. The scripted scene grows the Rhodes and Orton storyline. Orton had attacked Rhodes during his match with Corbin.
Cody Rhodes punted Baron Corbin in the head while Randy Orton watched at the end of WWE SmackDown on Friday, CBS Sports and 411MANIA reported. The show came from Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, CBS Sports reported. Pro wrestling results are scripted, and the segment built on the storyline between Rhodes and Orton.
Earlier in the night, Rhodes asked SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis whether he had seen Orton, CBS Sports reported. Rhodes then came to the ring calling for Orton, but Corbin interrupted his promo instead, CBS Sports and 411MANIA reported. That set up a short match between Rhodes and Corbin, which lasted just under five minutes, 411MANIA reported.
Rhodes, wearing his street clothes, controlled most of the short match, CBS Sports reported. With a few minutes left in the show, Orton attacked Rhodes, CBS Sports and 411MANIA reported. 411MANIA said the attack caused a disqualification. WWE's own results page lists the scripted match as a win for Rhodes by disqualification. Orton pulled Rhodes out from under the ring and repeatedly bounced his head off the commentary table, CBS Sports reported.
Rhodes dodged Orton's punt, the same move that "shattered his face at WrestleMania," and hit Orton with a Cody Cutter, CBS Sports reported. When Rhodes tried to punt Orton, Corbin stopped him, and Orton left the ring, CBS Sports and 411MANIA reported.
Rhodes then hit Corbin with another Cody Cutter and punted him as Orton shouted from the walkway, CBS Sports reported. Orton "appeared shocked by the moment," 411MANIA reported.
Orton and Rhodes have been feuding since Orton returned and said Rhodes lacks a killer instinct, 411MANIA reported. CBS Sports wrote that the closing segment "lacked intensity, despite the performers' efforts," though it said "the sequence made sense."
What we know: Rhodes punted Corbin in front of Orton to close SmackDown, after Orton attacked him during the match.
What we don't: When WWE will book a match between Rhodes and Orton.
Where outlets agree CBS Sports and 411MANIA report that Rhodes punted Corbin as Orton watched, after Orton attacked Rhodes during the match.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.