In a rare moment of nostalgia, WWE veteran Randy Orton recently stumbled upon an old tweet from 2011 where he praised Cody Rhodes, calling him a future world champion. The Viper’s words have proven to be prophetic, as The American Nightmare has gone on to achieve greatness, including his recent WWE Championship win at WrestleMania XL.
For those who may not recall, Orton and Rhodes shared a brief on-screen alliance from 2008 to 2010 as part of The Legacy on WWE RAW, along with Ted DiBiase Jr. During that period, they wreaked havoc on the company’s top babyfaces for nearly two years. However, when The Legacy disbanded in 2010, Orton turned babyface, and his opinion of Rhodes only grew stronger.
In his 2011 tweet, Orton exclaimed that Rhodes had improved “10 times” since their last in-ring encounter. Fast-forward to today, and it’s clear that Orton’s assessment was accurate. Rhodes has become a fan favorite, and his championship victory over Roman Reigns at WrestleMania XL was met with a thunderous ovation from the WWE Universe.
When Orton recently came across his old tweet, he responded with a simple yet telling two-word message: “Called it.” It’s a testament to his prescience and willingness to acknowledge Rhodes’ incredible growth as a wrestler.
Earlier this year, Orton heaped praise on Rhodes in an interview with FOX News Digital, demonstrating his admiration for the man who has become a close friend and fellow WWE superstar.
Meanwhile, Rhodes has continued to bask in the glory of his championship win, successfully defending his title against AJ Styles at Backlash France. The WWE Universe remains firmly behind him, as evidenced by the thunderous applause he received at the Premium Live Event.
As Orton celebrates Rhodes’ accomplishments, it’s a reminder that even the most seasoned veterans can recognize and appreciate the talent around them. In a world of sports entertainment, where rivalries often take center stage, it’s refreshing to see genuine respect and admiration between two wrestling legends.
