Bronson Reed’s injury was the deciding factor in WWE moving Cody Rhodes versus Randy Orton to WrestleMania 42 as a singles match, with the program originally planned as Rhodes’ major feud after the event, according to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Meltzer reported that while Rhodes versus Orton was always the intended creative direction, the timing of the match shifted significantly. The original plan had the program taking place after WrestleMania 42, not on the show itself.
Reed’s torn biceps injury served as the clincher for WWE deciding to move the match forward to WrestleMania and pair Drew McIntyre with Jacob Fatu in a separate singles match on the same card.
Meltzer also noted that Rhodes’ WrestleMania opponent went back and forth between Orton and McIntyre during the planning process. When McIntyre was the intended opponent, there was discussion, though not a certainty, of a Hell in a Cell stipulation for the match.
Additionally, Meltzer reported that Rhodes versus Roman Reigns was strongly considered for a Hell in a Cell match before the decision was made to shift Reigns into the program with CM Punk, which came at the expense of Bron Breakker’s originally planned role opposite Punk.
Reed has been sidelined with a hernia since the Royal Rumble in January. There is optimism within WWE that he could return before WrestleMania 42, with a plan reportedly in place for him if he receives medical clearance in time.
WWE WrestleMania 42 takes place April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
