Friday Night SmackDown delivered yet another action-packed episode, but it wasn’t all fireworks and fanfare. While the show gave us a **massive tease about Randy Orton’s potential WrestleMania opponent**, it also stumbled with **Cody Rhodes’ underwhelming segment** that left fans scratching their heads.
### ✅ Best: Randy Orton’s WrestleMania Tease Sparks Massive Buzz
In what could be a major setup for **WrestleMania 41**, Randy Orton found himself face-to-face with a rising contender, sparking **immediate speculation** among fans. The staredown was intense, subtle, and full of layered storytelling — exactly the kind of slow-burn WWE does best.
Social media blew up with theories, ranging from **Gunther** to **Solo Sikoa**, and even a possible shock return from **AJ Styles**. While no match was confirmed, **the tease did its job**: the Viper’s road to WrestleMania just got a lot more interesting.
### ❌ Worst: Cody Rhodes’ Segment Falls Flat
On the other end of the spectrum, **Cody Rhodes’ promo segment failed to hit emotionally or narratively**. Coming off his monumental WrestleMania 40 moment, fans expected fire and momentum — instead, they got a vague, overly-scripted monologue that lacked the passion Cody is known for.
Critics called it **”generic,” “forced,” and “a momentum killer.”** Even the crowd reactions felt subdued, which is rare for someone who’s usually drowning in cheers.
### Fan Reactions Are Mixed 💬
While Orton trended with praise, **Cody’s name trended for the wrong reasons**. Some fans defended him, blaming poor writing and awkward pacing. Others think WWE is stretching his storyline too thin without real stakes.
The contrast between Orton’s heat and Cody’s stumble **highlighted the episode’s biggest strength — and its biggest weakness.**
SmackDown had its hits and misses this week. **Randy Orton’s WrestleMania tease was gold**, but **Cody Rhodes’ segment didn’t land like it should’ve.** With WrestleMania 41 on the horizon, WWE will need to tighten its storytelling game — fast.