Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton (Last Man Standing Match)

WWE has officially scheduled a Last Man Standing match between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton for the Crown Jewel premium live event. This high-stakes encounter will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the updated event card. The announcement follows the October 23, 2026, episode of SmackDown, where the specific match type and participants were confirmed for the Saudi Arabian showcase. Official confirmation of the booking comes directly from WWE, establishing the clash as a centerpiece of the Crown Jewel 2026 lineup. Coverage of the announcement is widespread across sports and wrestling media.

Bleacher Report and Cageside Seats specifically highlight that the match will be a Last Man Standing contest, while POST Wrestling noted the setup within their review of the October 23 SmackDown broadcast. Additional updates regarding the modified Crown Jewel card have been reported by Yahoo Sports, Athlon Sports, and Pro Wrestling Dot Net, all of whom are tracking the evolving lineup for the event in Riyadh. The consistency across these outlets confirms the transition from a standard match to a more volatile stipulation. To provide context for the rivalry, PWTorch has published an analysis by Hubbard focusing on the historical trajectory of Rhodes and Orton. This retrospective examines key moments occurring in 2011, 2013, and 2025, utilizing video links to illustrate the long-term nature of their professional relationship.

This historical background suggests that the current conflict is rooted in years of shared history and previous interactions across multiple eras of their careers, adding depth to the anticipation for the upcoming Riyadh event. Observers will be monitoring the final preparations leading into Crown Jewel. While the match type is confirmed as Last Man Standing, the specific build-up from the latest SmackDown episode continues to shape the stakes. Further updates to the Crown Jewel card are expected as the event date approaches, with the official WWE schedule serving as the primary source for any additional changes to the Riyadh itinerary or further additions to the match participants.