There’s an old saying in Hip Hop that has different meanings to different people, but it was the mission statement for at least a decade: keep it real. Every artist defined “real” for themselves. At its core, it always came back to being true to yourself. There were even Sprite commercials dedicated to that notion that featured rappers. I really do miss the 1990s.
Anyway, I thought about that listening to Randy Orton on this edition of SmackDown. Randy, shocking no one, had a lot on his mind after hearing what Cody said when he thought the cameras cut off last week. Randy’s words cut through Cody’s veneer because despite what Cody says, he really has changed. Randy walked us through the evolution from “Dusty’s kid” to now. The one constant in Cody’s career is, no pun intended, evolution. And if Cody doesn’t kick Randy in his head if given the chance, then he’s “peaked.” No more evolution, no more growth.
That’s an interesting angle to take for this. The story is now set up as a challenge for Cody. But not one to see if he can resist being “compromised” but rather if he realizes what must be done to defeat someone like Randy. Specifically, is he willing to get his hands just a bit dirty if it gets him to his ultimate goal. It didn’t come off as the typical “bad guy goads the good guy” thing either because Randy truly believes Cody is a good guy. He believes even if Cody knocks his lights out, he’s still a good guy. This isn’t about good or bad for The Viper, yet it feels like that at times for Cody.
They pulled Michael Cole into this as the person who knows Cody best, therefore he understands what he is and isn’t capable of doing. As he sees it, Cody doesn’t have it in him to do to Randy what Randy would do to him and anyone else in his way. Normally, I’d say that’s an admirable trait. With Cody though, it always feels like he wants to have an edge but pulls back at the last minute. It never feels like who he is but rather who he wants to be. He wants to be this white meat babyface despite calling himself a nightmare. He wants to talk about being a good role model despite dropping the F-bomb so freely. He wants to be the guy who does everything the right way even though he’s definitely crossed a few lines to get ahead in the ring.
The segment wouldn’t work without Randy being on fire either. His conviction always sets him apart from everyone else, especially in moments like this. I believed every single word he said, including when he talked about him being the one non-compromised person in the locker room. He’s always been Randy and never shied away from any of it.
He’s always kept it real. To his point, Cody’s always compromised himself to fit the circumstance. That’s what makes it easier to believe Randy or Michael over the American Nightmare when they say he doesn’t have it in him despite him saying the opposite.
We’ll find out soon enough just how real Cody is.
Solid SmackDown. Randy Orton was on fire, the main event rocked my world, and the other matches/drama did what it needed to do. But don’t just go with my word on the subject; what did you think? I don’t grade weekly shows but that doesn’t mean you can’t! Let us know your grade for this episode, along with any other comments. Preferably Street Figher related.
