WWE star Cody Rhodes has hit back at Randy Orton after the "Legend Killer" branded him an "addict" who is "sick" for wanting to win the WWE Championship again. Rhodes told OutKick Dropkick that Orton's jibes were an attempt at "rage bait" designed to provoke a physical response before their bout at Sunday Night's Main Event, since either man striking the other before the match would have seen them barred from the title picture. The exchange underscores the personal, needling nature of the pair's feud ahead of a bout that could shape the road to Money in the Bank.

Rhodes pointed out he has already beaten Orton twice, at King of the Ring and WrestleMania, and argued the "addiction and sickness" label better suits his rival, who is closing in on a record 17 world title reigns held by John Cena. He suggested Orton feels overlooked as one of WWE's modern greats and predicted a third defeat, this time to his "protege" Rhodes, at Atlanta's Sunday Night's Main Event. The same card also features a six-woman tag match, Baron Corbin against Lil Yachty, and a clash between Oba Femi and Bron Breakker.