All articles tagged with #randy orton
Cody Rhodes will open the May 1 episode of SmackDown, addressing the fallout from WrestleMania and Randy Orton’s punt attack while signaling the show's tone for the night; the card also features Ricky Saints’ in-ring debut and a Charlotte Flair vs. Jacy Jayne match, as the championship picture remains in flux.
Wrestling Observer notes that Cody Rhodes’s night-one win over Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42 was decided before the show, with Pat McAfee’s opt‑out and widespread backstage negativity prompting WWE to pivot to a Rhodes vs. Punk angle (potentially for SummerSlam). The chaotic day was likened to WCW, and the piece hints at continuing storylines sparked by the match, all detailed in the Observer’s latest issue available to subscribers.
Pat McAfee announced he’s leaving WWE and heaped praise on Cody Rhodes after Rhodes retained the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42. He detailed a neck injury from Jelly Roll’s splash and an RKO, wearing a neck brace while awaiting scan results, along with other cuts and bruises from the Night 1 Las Vegas main event where Orton attacked Rhodes and Rhodes still won. McAfee suggested the business doesn’t need saving after all, while noting Rhodes’ resilience and Orton’s status.
WWE reportedly planned Randy Orton to defeat Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42, but the finish was altered in the final weeks, resulting in Rhodes retaining the title and a post-match angle used to continue their feud.
Cody Rhodes is sidelined with an orbital injury after WrestleMania 42 when Randy Orton blasted him with a belt and delivered a post‑match punt. Rhodes reportedly isn’t medically cleared, required staples in the back of his head, and there’s no timetable for his return. He was also pulled from WWE World appearances on 4/19 based on the injury report.
A new report says Randy Orton was originally planned to win the Undisputed WWE Championship from Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 42, but those plans were changed in the weeks leading up to the event; Rhodes retained after a bloody match, while Orton delivered the punt. Rhodes then suffered an orbital socket injury, required stitches, and was not cleared to compete Sunday, leaving a potential rematch at Backlash unclear and signaling the feud would continue.
PWInsider reports WWE originally pitched a darker WrestleMania 42 arc where Aleister Black tormented Randy Orton to force the return of his Apex Predator persona, culminating in a Mania weekend match and a post‑match angle tying into Cody Rhodes; the plan was ultimately superseded by Pat McAfee’s chaotic WrestleMania role, though the essence of Orton's dangerous comeback remained.
Night 1 of WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas delivered blockbuster moments: Cody Rhodes retained the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton in a chaotic, blood-spattered main event; Bianca Belair returned to reveal she is pregnant; Paige and Brie Bella captured the Women's Tag Team Championships; Liv Morgan won the Women's World Championship from Stephanie Vaquer; Gunther defeated Seth Rollins; AJ Lee regained the Women's Intercontinental Championship from Becky Lynch; Jacob Fatu defeated Drew McIntyre in an unsanctioned match; The Usos and LA Knight defeated Logan Paul, Austin Theory and IShowSpeed; John Cena hosted the night.
Pat McAfee’s WWE run appears to have ended at WrestleMania 42 after a heel turn on Cody Rhodes and a chaotic clash involving Randy Orton. McAfee was stretchered out, then returned as a referee before being stunned by an RKO from Orton, with Rhodes retaining the title. McAfee’s pre-match stipulation that he would quit wrestling if Orton failed to dethrone Rhodes suggests his in‑ring career may be over.
Cody Rhodes retained the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42 Night 1 amid a chaotic finish critics labeled odd, underwhelming and confusing, featuring twists and interference that left the crowd and viewers reacting skeptically.
WrestleMania 42 Night One in Las Vegas delivered a mix of title changes, returns and big spots: Cody Rhodes defeated Randy Orton to retain the WWE Championship in a hard-hitting main event, only for Orton to lay Rhodes out with a post-match punt. Liv Morgan captured the Women’s World Championship amid heavy interference from Raquel Rodriguez, Roxanne Perez and Dominik Mysterio. Paige made a surprise return and teamed with Brie Bella to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles in a four-way. Becky Lynch defeated AJ Lee to win the Women’s Intercontinental Title. Gunther vs. Seth Rollins was a standout, with Bron Breakker’s interference setting up future angles. LA Knight, Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso beat Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and IShowSpeed in a six-man tag, and Jacob Fatu defeated Drew McIntyre in an unsanctioned match. Overall, the show was solid with several crowd-pleasing moments and several memorable twists to kick off WrestleMania 42.
Night One of WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas runs from a 3:00 p.m. ET Countdown to the premium live event at 6:00 p.m. ET, airing on ESPN2 before moving to ESPN’s streaming platform (Netflix in other regions). The card features four title bouts and several top matches: Undisputed WWE Championship Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Randy Orton with Pat McAfee in Orton’s corner; WWE Women’s World Championship Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan; a Fatal 4-Way Women’s Tag Team Championship match (Nia Jax & Lash Legend (c) vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. The Bella Twins); Women’s Intercontinental Championship AJ Lee (c) vs. Becky Lynch; Gunther vs. Seth Rollins; Unsanctioned Match Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre; and a Trios Match The Usos & LA Knight vs. IShowSpeed, Logan Paul & Austin Theory.
Randy Orton opened SmackDown with a promo trying to justify his betrayal of Cody Rhodes and explain why he’s fighting Rhodes for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania, but the crowd loudly booed Rhodes’ name as the segment shoehorned Pat McAfee into the feud. Rhodes is set to respond later, and coverage tracks the go-home fallout ahead of WrestleMania Saturday.
SmackDown leans into WrestleMania fever with Cody Rhodes trading barbs with Pat McAfee while Randy Orton aligns with McAfee in a heat-packed show that also features Royce Keys’ debut win, Trick Williams beating Matt Cardona, Danhausen getting his first WWE win, Jade Cargill defeating Iyo Sky to set up a Ripley showdown, and Drew McIntyre brutalizing Jacob Fatu in a setup for their unsanctioned Mania match. The night balanced lengthy promos with a string of competitive bouts, building Mania storylines even as some segments drew mixed reactions.
Damian Priest criticized WWE's Pat McAfee storyline with Randy Orton on SmackDown, calling it 'sucks' and saying many in the locker room weren’t happy. He argued the PG show could still elevate talent without McAfee’s profanity-laden appearances and questioned the benefit to other wrestlers, noting the storyline felt unnecessary to him.