WWE has always found ways to cross over into mainstream entertainment. Whether it’s having Bad Bunny compete in the ring or Travis Scott’s recent appearances, the company makes sure to highlight its big-name connections. And with video games booming in popularity, it was only a matter of time before WWE stepped into that world as well.
During the post-Elimination Chamber SmackDown, a backstage promo skit between Carmelo Hayes and Randy Orton led to one such crossover moment. The Viper name-dropped two of the biggest games today — Fortnite and Elden Ring — but he didn’t exactly have kind words for the former.
Randy Orton Rips Fortnite in Favor of Elden Ring
As part of WWE’s ongoing effort to pair Hayes with The Miz as a tag team, the two were begging SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis for a talk-show segment with Cody Rhodes next week. While Hayes wasn’t thrilled about the idea, he had one key question in mind for Rhodes.
“The Final Boss comes to you with an offer of a lifetime, with an opportunity of a lifetime to change your life, and you fumble the bag at the 1-yard line?”
Then, he took a shot at Orton, who had earlier mocked John Cena in the night.
“But then you got guys hating like Randy, coming off the couch after four months of playing Fortnite.”
Unfortunately for Hayes, Orton was standing right behind him — a classic WWE backstage moment. That’s when The Viper fired back, taking a dig at the massively popular battle royale game.
“Fortnite? Fortnite is for kids, man. I play Elden Ring.”
FromSoftware’s magnum opus is widely regarded as one of the greatest video games of all time. Orton has even admitted in a past interview with Rhodes that he’s logged over 600 hours in the game.
Fortnite? Fortnite is for KIDS man, I play Elden Ring!" – Randy Orton
RANDY ORTON COOKED FORTNITE FANS 😭#SmackDown
— EliteRockerz 𝕏 (@EliteClubS0B) March 8, 2025
Released in 2022, Elden Ring won multiple Game of the Year awards and is considered a true masterpiece. However, when it comes to player numbers, Fortnite dominates. While the open-world RPG has sold close to 28 million copies, Fortnite’s player base is nearing 650 million.
That said, Orton’s comments might not sit well with WWE’s corporate partners. Fortnite is an official sponsor, and ever since WWE started allowing advertisements on the ring mat, Fortnite branding has been a regular feature.
Plus, Cena already has his own in-game skin as part of an ongoing collaboration with Epic Games. It’ll be interesting to see if Orton faces any backlash or if he gets away with the jab.