Randy Orton could defeat 36-year-old WWE star, says Dave Meltzer, to potentially face Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam

Dave Meltzer has revealed his fantasy WWE booking in which Randy Orton could potentially face Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam 2024. The wrestling journalist wants to put over The Viper at the King of the Ring tournament for such a hypothetical situation.

Last week on Friday Night SmackDown, Randy Orton defeated Carmelo Hayes in the main event to advance to the next round of the KOTR tournament. After the match, The Bloodline confronted The Apex Predator, and the latter didn't leave the opportunity to put Tama Tonga on notice ahead of the semifinal match.

On this week's episode of Monday Night RAW, Gunther defeated Jey Uso to punch his ticket to the finals of the King of the Ring tournament. This means that either The MFT or The Apex Predator will face The Ring General in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer mentioned that if it were him booking the Premium Live Event at the Jeddah Superdome on May 25, he would have Randy Orton beat the 36-year-old WWE star. The wrestling journalist believes this will potentially lead to a "big money match" between Cody Rhodes and The Viper at The Biggest Party of The Summer.

"As far as Orton or GUNTHER, if it were me, I'm putting over Orton. Because I think Orton and Cody Rhodes is a big money match. I could see Orton and Cody at SummerSlam," Meltzer said. [H/T - Wrestle Talk]

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WWE veteran excited about Randy Orton's match against The Bloodline member

On the upcoming edition of SmackDown, the 14-time World Champion will face Tama Tonga in a singles match for the first time. Former WWE manager Dutch Mantell recently explained why it was the right call to put two men in the semifinals of the King of the Ring tournament.

Speaking on Sportskeeda Wrestling's Smack Talk, Mantell shared that Randy Orton and The Bloodline member will create magic inside the squared circle when they meet on Friday Night SmackDown.

"Okay, did you doubt that Orton wouldn't win it? Maybe? Well, you were right! I figured Orton was going to win because Tama Tonga won, and he would be facing the other kid, right? There is no sting to it. There is no push to it. But Tonga vs. Orton has got the magic about it. The first time they've matched up. But I enjoyed the match," he said.

You can check out the video below:

The WWE Universe is excited to see who will be crowned as the 2024 King of the Ring in Saudi Arabia after three years. In 2021, Xavier Woods went on to become King Woods by defeating Finn Balor.