Randy Orton was originally planned to leave WrestleMania 42 as the Undisputed WWE Champion, but the decision was changed in the final weeks before the show, according to multiple reports.
According to Bodyslam, Orton was initially scheduled to win the title at WrestleMania 42. The plan was altered within the last few weeks, with the decision ultimately landing on Cody Rhodes retaining the championship. Fightful Select separately reported that there was internal consideration of Orton winning the title, but that the booking decision was made in the final weeks for Rhodes to retain.
Orton won the 2026 Men’s Elimination Chamber match to earn his WrestleMania title shot, and the build to the match was dominated by the presence of Pat McAfee, who aligned with Orton in a storyline that drew considerable criticism and attention in equal measure. McAfee’s role effectively replaced an earlier creative pitch that had centered on Aleister Black tormenting Orton and trying to draw out the old Apex Predator version of the character.
Orton is a 14-time world champion with decades of credibility behind him, and a 15th title reign at WrestleMania 42 would have carried enormous historical weight. On the other side of the equation, Rhodes is a two-time champion who has defined the company’s identity since winning the title at WrestleMania 40.
Bodyslam also notes that WWE knew heading in that the feud between Rhodes and Orton would continue past WrestleMania, which informed the decision to run the post-match angle rather than delivering a clean finish that would have felt more conclusive.
After Rhodes secured the victory by hitting the Cross Rhodes, Orton attacked him with the title and delivered a punt kick, laying the champion out on the canvas in a manner clearly designed to move the ongoing story forward rather than close it. The post-match beatdown was not an afterthought but a deliberate piece of storytelling intended to set the table for whatever comes next between the two.
Rhodes retained despite being split open by an Orton punch during the match and having his left eye swell completely shut by the time the final bell rang. He was placed in concussion protocol and pulled from a WWE World appearance scheduled for Sunday, with the severity of his injuries still being assessed as of this writing.
