Stephanie McMahon made an unadvertised appearance on “WWE Raw,” live from Madison Square Garden, on Monday to offer Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes some advice going into his WrestleMania 42 match against “The Viper” Randy Orton. Rhodes was interrupted by McMahon as he hyped up the crowd in New York City to open the show.

When he admitted he was a bit confused to see her, McMahon said of course she was going to be in the “house her grandfather built,” but also began to caution Rhodes against this version of Orton.

McMahon said that Rhodes has taken the golden path and stayed true to his values, and he always believes he can bring out the best of his opponents, but he can’t do that against this Orton. She said Rhodes needs to think diabolical, like Orton, which was something his father, Dusty Rhodes, did better than anyone. McMahon said that from what she’s seen so far in the feud, Rhodes is not his father.

Rhodes mentioned having to babysit Orton during their Legacy days while they were on the road, and said he’s not afraid of him after it all. He clapped back with a Vince McMahon reference when he told McMahon she wasn’t her father, either, which earned him a slap.

McMahon said that she was trying to give him guidance against Orton, as he had no one else, and said that Orton is listening to the voices in his head, and it appears he’s listening to someone else, as well, in reference to his backstage phone calls. She said Rhodes needs to learn how to think like Orton or he’s going to lose the title. As she went to leave, Rhodes spun her around and told her he had two words for her. As the crowd chanted “suck it,” Rhodes only said, “thank you.”

Bully Ray said he liked the idea of the open challenge because it’s a fun surprise. He said WWE could tease it over the next two weeks if it’s announced on Monday’s edition of the show, and he and LaGreca threw out a few names of legends who GUNTHER could retire, like fellow “Busted Open” host Tommy Dreamer or John Bradshaw Layfield. LaGreca said it had to be someone who fans think might have a shot at winning, but Bully Ray disagreed.

“You can build the chance in the match… Even AJ Styles and John Cena, you knew that they didn’t have a chance,” he said. “You knew what was going to happen. It’s just about the fun, the pop, the excitement… GUNTHER will put a match together where you think the other guy will win, but we know the outcome.”

He said there’s no one that you could put in front of him that he would think is beating GUNTHER. The Hall of Famer explained that if someone did defeat him at WrestleMania, that would be “f****** up” his push, which he said has already been slowed a little due to plans reportedly being changed due to injuries. 

“I like the open challenge idea” he said. “I’m going back to these names because you can plug these names in and it would work. You hit Bubba Ray Dudley’s music. Tommy Dreamer. Rob Van Dam. ‘Hey, Rob, we need you to come in and put GUNTHER over… but, you’ll never wrestle in the WWE again.'”

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit “Busted Open Radio” and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

An injured WWE star is reportedly backstage at “WWE Raw” at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, according to a new report. PWInsider Elite reported that former Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker is backstage.

PWIE did not report as to whether or not Breakker is planned for the show. The star underwent surgery for a serious hernia he reportedly suffered during the February 2 edition of the red brand, where he flipped the commentary desk during a rage in the opening moments of the show.

Breakker was enraged at “Raw” General Manager Adam Pearce after he was quickly eliminated from the Royal Rumble following a stomp by a mystery man in a black hoodie, revealed later to be Seth Rollins, before he could even get in the ring after drawing the #2 spot in the match. Breakker was thrown over the top rope immediately by Oba Femi.

While still not confirmed, reports had been optimistic in recent days and weeks that the former NXT Champion would be good to go for the “Showcase of the Immortals,” especially after the return of Rollins. “The Visionary” and former leader of The Vision, was written off television, for a real-life injury suffered at Crown Jewel, by Breakker in October. As of a March 19 report, WWE was hopeful Breakker would be cleared to compete before WrestleMania.  

While it’s also unclear if Rollins is cleared for in-ring action, as he has yet to take a bump since his return at Elimination Chamber, despite getting physical himself, the reported plans were Rollins vs. Breakker at WrestleMania 42.