PREVIEW: Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes

A long standing rivalry born in a “Legacy” of hate is now all about Vengeance. At this Sunday’s explosive pay-per-view, Randy Orton will lock horns with Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes.

Many things have changed for Rhodes since he stood side-by-side with The Viper as part of The Legacy. The accidental facial injury Rhodes sustained at the hands of Rey Mysterio in January transformed him into a resentful force of brutal aggression. His dark path eventually catapulted the tortured grappler all the way to the Intercontinental Championship. Considering his vow that he will “return the title to its former glory,” a triumph over the Nine-time World Champion and former cohort would be a huge step in the right direction.

Despite Rhodes’ success, however, victory is far from being“in the bag." Time and time again, Randy Orton has proven himself as dangerous as he is accomplished, largely because of the volatile combination of his incredible skill set and innate ability to use his anger issues to his advantage. Together, these two attributes spelled agony for Rhodes on the Sept. 23 edition of SmackDown. After The Viper smashed him with the timekeeper’s bell– an injury that left nine-staples in his Rhodes’ head – Orton treated him to an RKO onto the announce table. (WATCH)

Although the Intercontinental Champion suffered one of the worst assaults of his career, he refused to be overshadowed by the serpentine Superstar. In addition to costing Orton the World Heavyweight Championship on the Oct. 14 edition of SmackDown (WATCH), Rhodes’ greatest blow may have been to The Viper’s ego four days earlier. Following an attack on WWE’s Apex Predator during his match against Mark Henry on the Raw Supershow, Rhodes placed one of his paper bags on his head in the ultimate act of humiliation. (WATCH)

Find out who will get his payback at Vengeance, this Sunday at 8/7 CT, only on pay-per-view.