Top WWE Star Not Backstage at SmackDown in Raleigh

Cody Rhodes is being kept off this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown — and it’s directly tied to Randy Orton’s brutal attack.

After the shocking heel turn on the March 13, 2026 episode of SmackDown, where Orton left Rhodes busted open in the middle of the ring, the fallout is now carrying over into this week’s show. According to a report by PWInsider, Rhodes won’t be appearing on Friday Night SmackDown at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, in order to sell Randy Orton’s brutal assault.

The decision comes just one week after Orton snapped during their contract signing segment. What started as a respectful moment quickly turned violent, with Orton attacking Rhodes, slamming him through the table, and eventually smashing him with the steel steps — leaving him bleeding heavily outside the ring.

Now, WWE is playing into that aftermath. Instead of having Rhodes immediately return, the company is keeping him off TV, selling the impact of the attack while building anticipation for their WrestleMania 42 main event.

It also reinforces Orton’s heel turn. By removing Rhodes from the show entirely, the focus stays on the damage Orton caused — and the idea that Rhodes isn’t ready, or willing, to confront him just yet. This isn’t just about one segment anymore — it’s about how WWE is stretching the story week to week. And with WrestleMania 42 getting closer, that absence might say more than any promo could.

Do you think WWE made the right call keeping Cody Rhodes off SmackDown after Randy Orton’s attack, or should he have shown up to respond? Let us know your thoughts and leave your feedback below.