Randy Orton went after Cody Rhodes’ family in one of the most personal exchanges of their ongoing WWE feud. “The Viper” even brought up Pharaoh, Rhodes’ beloved Siberian Husky, while trying to push his opponent into breaking the no-contact rule ahead of Sunday Night’s Main Event.
So, is Cody Rhodes’ dog Pharaoh dead? No. Pharaoh is alive. Orton’s comments were part of the WWE storyline and were designed to get inside Rhodes’ head rather than reveal an actual tragedy involving his family.
During the August 28 episode of SmackDown, Orton asked “The American Nightmare” about his longtime companion, saying, “What’s that dog’s name of yours? Pharaoh.” He then questioned whether Pharaoh had died and asked if Cody’s daughters had buried the dog in their backyard in Atlanta.
The remarks came after WWE General Manager Nick Aldis warned that Rhodes and Orton could not physically attack each other before their match. If either man broke that rule, he would lose the opportunity to challenge for the Undisputed WWE Championship again.
What Happened To Cody Rhodes’ Dog Pharaoh?
Pharaoh has dealt with a legitimate health issue in the past. In August 2020, Cody revealed that his Husky had torn his cruciate ligament and needed surgery. Rhodes shared the news on social media while updating fans about Pharaoh’s condition.
The surgery was successful, and Pharaoh eventually recovered. By 2024, however, age had become the bigger concern. Cody Rhodes revealed that Pharaoh was 13 years old, was “thriving” and doing well, but had started slowing down. As a result, the dog stopped regularly traveling with Cody on WWE trips.
“The Apex Predator” referenced Pharaoh again on the September 4 episode of SmackDown, making it clear that the earlier comments were part of his attempt to get inside Cody’s head.
The star said:
“I even talked about your dog. Turns out he’s not even dead. He’s got a little ways to go. You’ll be burying him soon, huh?”
It will be interesting to see who comes out victorious at Sunday Night’s Main Event on September 6, 2026, from Atlanta, Georgia at State Farm Arena.
