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WWE legend Stephanie McMahon returned to “Monday Night Raw” at Madison Square Garden in New York to address undisputed champion Cody Rhodes.
Rhodes has been embroiled in a rivalry with Randy Orton since the “Legend Killer” won the men’s Royal Rumble.
Orton has a chance to win the undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42, which Rhodes won back from Drew McIntyre a few weeks ago.
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Stephanie McMahon slaps 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 went on a rampage on “Friday Night SmackDown,” leaving Rhodes a bloody mess for one episode and hitting an RKO on country music singer Jelly Roll last week. McMahon came out Monday to give Rhodes some advice. She said Rhodes will have to tap into something sinister if he wants to prevail at WrestleMania.
McMahon seemed to get under Rhodes’ skin when she told him he wouldn’t be able to bring out the best in Orton because “this version of Randy Orton is evil.”
“You don’t have to be evil, but you’re going to have to be able to think like that. You’re going to have to be able to think like Randy. Your dad understood that better than anyone. Dusty Rhodes could roll with the best of them,” she said.
“He can mess with the best of them, but from what I’ve seen so far, you’re not your father.”
The line sparked a huge reaction from the New York crowd.
Cody Rhodes stands in front of 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 knew “everything” about Orton, including his violent streak at the peak of his career that saw him kick McMahon.
“You want to raise fathers, I’m not mine. You’re right,” Rhodes replied. “Stephanie McMahon, with all due respect, you’re not yours either.”
McMahon then slapped Rhodes in 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 might need to get locked in for his WrestleMania match.
WrestleMania 42 is scheduled for April 18-19 in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium.
