Randy Orton's wife sends two-word message ahead of WWE SmackDown

WWE SmackDown's final episode on FOX airs live tonight from Alberta, Canada. Randy Orton's status for the show remains unclear as of this writing.

At Bash in Berlin, Gunther defeated Randy Orton via technical submission to retain the World Heavyweight Championship. As per the prior stipulation of the bout, The Viper remains on SmackDown. Until SummerSlam, he was assisting Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes to fend off The Bloodline.

Ahead of the blue brand's final episode before its new season premieres on the USA Network next week, Kim Orton shared a backstage snap with her husband taken in Germany last weekend:

"My dude," wrote Kim Orton.

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Cody Rhodes discloses why WWE will not book him against Randy Orton in the near future

At Bash in Berlin, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes successfully retained his belt against Kevin Owens. The bout was praised by former RAW General Manager Eric Bischoff on his podcast 83 Weeks this week, who believed that Rhodes needed to headline the event. Bischoff also gave props to The Prizefighter for convincing him with every move the latter made.

When asked about a potential title defense against his mentor, Randy Orton, at the Bash in Berlin post-show press conference, The American Nightmare shut down the idea as he believes a lot has to happen before the company can book it:

""In terms of him [Randy Orton] eyeing the title, I have seen a lot of rumblings," Cody Rhodes began. "You feel like people want to see that match. [...] A lot would have to happen for that match to take place. That's a real relationship, and friendship, and the mentor and the student, but it is certainly not something I would back down from. [...] If it happens, that's a lot of drama. As The Bloodline fans like to say, the 'cinema', it's a lot of 'cinema'. But right now, no plans for it."

Kevin Owens and Randy Orton joined the fray in The American Nightmare's title defense against Solo Sikoa at SummerSlam after The Bloodline interfered to ensure Sikoa walked away with the win. By the end of the barnburner, it was Roman Reigns who had a direct effect on the result.

Solo Sikoa has declared that he is after the Undisputed WWE Champion ahead of SmackDown. How and where Triple H and Co. book Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa II for the title bears watching.