Concern About Randy Orton Heading Into WWE WrestleMania 42

A significant piece of uncertainty has been added to the WrestleMania 42 Night One main event picture just days before the show. Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Randy Orton is currently dealing with physical issues heading into his WWE Championship match against Cody Rhodes — a development that could potentially change the match’s planned outcome if his condition requires time off following the event.

Meltzer’s reporting laid out the competing forces at play. On one hand, Pat McAfee’s April 10 SmackDown promo — in which he stated he would never do anything involving WWE again if Orton failed to defeat Rhodes — reads as close to a guaranteed result signal as wrestling storytelling can produce. “Obviously that is not happening. In fact, the only result, given that promo, that was almost completely clear is Orton winning,” Meltzer noted.

WWE’s Post-WrestleMania Plans Still Include Orton Headlining Backlash With Cody Rhodes and Jelly Roll on May 9

The physical condition caveat adds a meaningful asterisk. “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.” Despite the injury concern, WWE‘s post-WrestleMania plans still appear to include Orton prominently. A tag team match pitting Orton and McAfee against Cody Rhodes and Jelly Roll is reportedly scheduled to headline Backlash on May 9 — a booking that suggests the company is not currently planning for Orton to step away from television anytime soon. The match against Rhodes takes place on WrestleMania 42 Night One on April 18 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.