Randy Orton is dealing with a physical issue heading into WrestleMania 42.
Dave Meltzer addressed Orton’s match against Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, noting that while Pat McAfee’s promo on the April 10 SmackDown appeared to strongly indicate an Orton victory, the result is not guaranteed due to Orton’s physical condition.
Meltzer wrote: “Perhaps most notable in the McAfee promo is that he said that if Randy Orton doesn’t beat Cody Rhodes for the title, that he will never do anything involving WWE again. Obviously that is not happening. In fact, the only result, given that promo, that was almost completely clear is Orton winning. We were told that Orton is hurting so there is a possibility that would change, as it would make no sense for Orton to win if he has to take time off, but McAfee’s statement came across like it’s as close to a lock as possible.”
Meltzer also noted that the reported Backlash match pitting Cody Rhodes and Jelly Roll against Pat McAfee and Randy Orton remains scheduled for the May 9 PLE in Tampa, which would suggest that neither McAfee’s promised WWE departure nor any extended time off for Orton are currently in the actual plans.
Rhodes defends the Undisputed WWE Championship against Orton, with McAfee in Orton’s corner, in the night one main event of WrestleMania 42 on Saturday, April 18 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
