Randy Orton Undergoes Major WWE Character Change

Published: Mar 14, 2026 by Liam | Last Updated: Mar 14, 2026 by Liam

Liam has been reporting & analyzing wrestling news for over eight years, and is currently the Managing Editor at WrestleTalk.com. Immersed in wrestling for 18 years, he has over 11,000 published articles in addition to leading and overseeing WrestleTalk.com's coverage.

Randy Orton Undergoes Major WWE Character Change

Randy Orton underwent a major character change during tonight’s March 13 episode of WWE SmackDown in Phoenix, Arizona.

SmackDown played host to a contract signing segment with Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton ahead of their Undisputed WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 42 on April 18.

Rhodes and Orton have a relationship that goes all the way back to Rhodes’ WWE debut in 2007, which he brought up during the contract signing, saying:

“My first match in 2007 was against Randy Orton, and I remember you winning the Royal Rumble (in 2009) and pointing to the WrestleMania sign and thinking ‘if I can only be like you’.

“When I came back (to WWE in 2022) I was all alone, there was no Codyverse, my wife was at home, but I had you.”

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Orton, who has been a babyface in WWE for a number of years now, received the message well, but expressed to Rhodes that he “needs” to win at WrestleMania to become a 15-time World Champion – and he didn’t want to have to beat Rhodes to do it.

However, Rhodes invited Orton to be the best version of himself, which compelled a major shift in Orton’s demeanor.

Orton got a crazed look in his eye and attacked Rhodes, including a low blow and an aggressive assault at ringside with the steel steps.

Rhodes was left covered in blood as Orton laid his head on the steps before leaving up the ramp while producers, referees and medical personnel attempted to help Rhodes.

Just a few seconds later, Orton re-emerged with a steel chair and used the chair to nail Rhodes’ head as it was wedged against the steps.

Is Randy Orton Heel Again In WWE?

This was seemingly a reintroduction to the famous ‘2009 Randy Orton‘ who was the top heel in WWE at that time.

The difference this time is that the crowd did not boo his actions, and in fact chanted for Orton as the show went off the air.

It remains to be seen whether that will be something that changes in the five weeks before WrestleMania takes place.

There had been signs that some fans were starting to turn on Cody Rhodes, and it appears they may be choosing Orton over Rhodes, despite Orton being the aggressor with a violent attack tonight.