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WWE legend Stephanie McMahon returned to “Monday Night Raw” at Madison Square Garden in New York City to talk about Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes.
Rhodes has been engrossed in a feud with Randy Orton since the “Legend Killer” won the men’s Royal Rumble.
Orton gets a shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42, which Rhodes won back from Drew McIntyre a few weeks ago.
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Stephanie McMahon beats Cody Rhodes during “Monday Night RAW” at Madison Square Garden on March 30, 2026 in New York, NY (Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images)
Orton has been on a rampage on “Friday Night SmackDown,” leaving Rhodes a bloody mess during one episode and hitting an RKO on country music singer Jelly Roll last week. McMahon came out on Monday to give Rhodes a little advice. She said Rhodes is going to have to figure out something sinister if he wants to come out on top at WrestleMania.
McMahon seemed to get under Rhodes’ skin when she told him that he wouldn’t be able to get the best out of Orton because “this version of Randy Orton is diabolical.”
“You don’t have to be devilish, but you have to be able to think like that. You have to be able to think like Randy. Your father understood that better than anybody. Dusty Rhodes could roll with the best of them,” she said.
“He can get dirty with the best of them, but from what I’ve seen so far, you’re not your father.”
The line got a huge response from the audience in New York.
Cody Rhodes faces John Cena during “Friday Night Smackdown” at T-Mobile Arena on April 18, 2025 in Las Vega. (Mike Owens/WWE via Getty Images)
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Rhodes explained that he knows “everything” about Orton, including his violent streak during the peak of his career, which led him to beat McMahon.
“You want to raise fathers, I’m not mine. You’re right,” Rhodes shot back. “Stephanie McMahon, with all due respect, you’re not yours either.”
McMahon then proceeded to punch Rhodes across the face.
Randy Orton celebrates his victory during the WWE Elimination Chamber at the United Center on February 28, 2026 in Chicago. (Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images)
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At the end of the segment, Rhodes thanked McMahon for seemingly giving him the wake-up call he may need to be locked in for his WrestleMania match.
WrestleMania 42 is scheduled for 18-19. April in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium.
