Cody Rhodes' history with Randy Orton returned to haunt him at WWE SummerSlam, as Orton's interference cost Rhodes his shot at winning the Undisputed WWE Championship from CM Punk. The match, one of the night's headline bouts at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, saw Rhodes and Punk deliver a high-quality contest before outside interference decided the outcome, allowing Punk to retain the title. The moment underscores how legacy rivalries and past storylines continue to shape WWE's biggest events.

The bout took place during SummerSlam, held at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, with Rhodes challenging reigning champion CM Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Orton's surprise return and interference proved decisive, denying Rhodes the title and extending Punk's reign. The clash was billed as one of the standout matches of the night, alongside other high-profile bouts such as Liv Morgan's successful title defence against Iyo Sky.