Randy Orton kicked off Friday Night SmackDown with an electric promo. He not only addressed Kevin Owens but also reacted to John Cena’s shocking heel turn at Elimination Chamber.
Randy Orton Mocks John Cena and The Rock
At Elimination Chamber, during the unsanctioned match between Owens and Sami Zayn, Orton made his return to save the latter from Owens’ brutal attack. But despite his comeback after months away, it wasn’t the main talking point — with Cena’s heel turn obviously stealing the spotlight.
When WWE announced Orton’s SmackDown appearance, fans expected him to address Owens. And while he did, he couldn’t resist taking shots at Cena and The Rock first.
Cena has spent years as WWE’s top babyface, while Orton has been one of the most notorious heels. Their rivalry runs deep, and The Viper wasted no time stirring the pot.
“John Cena has always been on top of this business; now he’s just a ‘bottom’ for The Rock,” Orton said. “I guess that gives a whole new meaning to Rock Bottom, doesn’t it, John?”
“For as long as I can remember every since I started in this business John Cena has been on the top of this profession… And now he’s just a bottom for The Rock”
Nah bruh Randy Orton is crazy for this one 😭😭 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/pGXDxWs2pY
— Public Enemies Podcast (@TheEnemiesPE3) March 8, 2025
Orton Still Looking To Punt Kevin Owens
After reacting to Cena’s heel turn, Orton shifted focus to Owens, who he dropped at Elimination Chamber with an RKO and nearly followed up with a punt kick until security intervened. Several officials ended up on the receiving end of RKOs in the chaos.
On SmackDown, Orton made it clear he’s not done with Owens, vowing to land that punt kick soon and throwing Pat McAfee into the fray by saying he’d prove the former NFL punter is only the second-best punter in WWE.
Orton also revealed that something awoke inside him at Elimination Chamber, teasing a return to his more dangerous persona.
“Last week at the Chamber, when I came out to save Sami Zayn from getting a career-ending piledriver on the concrete, I ran into the ring and I RKO’d Kevin Owens. As I looked down on Kevin, I thought, ‘Man, what is this feeling coming over me?’ Something came over me that I haven’t felt in over a decade, and I liked it.
“You know what it was? The voices started talking to me again, and those voices told me to back up, measure my mark, and kick Kevin Owens in the head so freaking hard that even his closest family members wouldn’t recognize his face.
“I am going to prove in short order that Pat McAfee is only the second-greatest punter in WWE.”
This segment raises several big questions. Orton vs. Owens at WrestleMania seems almost inevitable, while his comments about Cena’s heel turn have sparked speculation.
Cody Rhodes will need backup against Cena and The Final Boss. Could Orton step up to help him? Or will he stay focused on Owens and let Rhodes handle his battle alone?