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Dusty said Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Title is taking place tonight. Just like Ted DiBiase booked Ted, Jr. vs. Orton on July 6. Except title is on the line tonight. Dusty said he’ll be in Cody’s corner. And the special referee tonight is John Cena. Dusty thought it was over, but…Randy Orton’s music hit and Dusty stood still. Huge reaction for Orton’s music for a confrontation. Orton slowly made his way to the ring and said he should kick Dusty in the skull just like he did two years ago. Orton said there’s no way Cody can hang with him in the ring. Dusty said his son is hungrier and more athletically gifted than Orton is. Orton wasn’t so sure. Cue up Cody’s theme music.
Cody Rhodes then came out and addressed Orton directly. He said this man happens to be his father. Cody said Dusty’s legacy in this industry runs much deeper than his or mine. He said he would like to think they are friends, but this is a golden opportunity and he will not pass it up. Cody said he intends to become the youngest WWE champion in history, just like Orton did. He said it’s not personal, just business. Orton paused to get this straight. He’s facing Cody. Dusty’s in the corner. Cena is the special referee. Big pop for the Cena name drop. Orton said the fix is obviously in. Dusty: “You betta believe it, Randy, the fix is in.” Cue up the Raw theme music and Orton bailed to the outside abruptly. He looked over his shoulder at Cody, who smirked and looked back to pops.
Backstage, Cody was lacing up his boots. Ted DiBiase, Jr. then walked up to him and asked if he’s ready. Cody said he’s ready for the spotlight just like Ted got when his dad was running the show. Randy Orton then walked up to him and made sure he wants to go through with this. Cody said he’s ready and it’s business, not personal. Orton said that’s good because he’s about business, nothing personal tonight. Orton let that sink in, then walked off. Cody sold deep thought. Orton has something up his sleeve.
In-ring, WWE champion Randy Orton came to the ring first for the title match main event. They cut backstage to show Dusty giving Cody a pep talk before the title match. One more shot of Orton in the ring before they cut to break. Cody Rhodes and Dusty Rhodes came out for the title match. Wonder if the Fingerpoke of Doom was foreshadowing. John Cena’s music then hit to bring out the champ as special ref. Before the bell sounded, Cena checked both men for illegal weapons. Orton wasn’t too fond of being checked that closely.
Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes — WWE Title match (John Cena special referee)
Before the match started, Dusty took the mic and said there’s nothing a father would do for his son. Suddenly, Orton and Cody jumped Cena. Dusty watched as Ted DiBiase then stormed the ring and took out Cena. Suddenly, DX’s music hit and Michaels and Hunter stormed the ring. Hunter teased the Pedigree on Cody, but Dusty took his boot to Hunter’s head. Legacy beat down Michaels, then Cody gave him Cross Rhodes in center ring. Heat was off the chars for this. Orton shook like the great evil character he is, then he put another boot to Cena’s head. Dusty stood tall with Rhodes, DiBiase, and Orton and they did a curtain call to big heat.
Dusty and Cody hugged, then Orton suddenly gave Dusty the RKO. Cody seethed and yelled at Orton. “Why, man, why?!” Cody thought it over as Orton turned and shot him this evil look. Cody fought the urge to fight for his dad or fall in line with Orton. Crowd yelled at Cody to do something. Credits came on as Cody stood next to Dusty’s boot. Orton’s mind control was taking over Cody as he thought things over. Crowd was chanting as the hard cam pulled away to reveal chaos in the ring with DiBiase in one corner and Orton standing across the ring from a contemplative Cody to close the show.
Winner: No match occurred. Deal had some gap holes in logic. Apparently Dusty was fighting for the honor of WCW by taking out DX, who ripped the promotion all throughout the show. Shockmaster was the straw that broke the camel’s back apparently. That aside, what an awesome, intense conclusion to the show. Flash back to the Raw before the Royal Rumble when Orton was red-hot as a heel. Orton’s mind games over Cody Rhodes to prevent him from defending his dad after Orton made it “business, nothing personal,” was great. This was Orton in his element as a top, credible heel. The whole bit made Cena look like a chump, though, for not being able to see through the plot. This after he was given 18 chances to win the WWE Title at Summerslam. WWE is giving him the Teflon treatment where they figure he can look silly every week and audiences will still go nuts for him and back him. At the end of the day, though, Legacy looked good with a beat down on the top babyfaces and Orton looked like that pre-Rumble monster he needs to be in order to be an effective heel champion.
