Potential WrestleMania 42 Spoiler for Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton Emerges
Randy Orton could also be heading into WrestleMania 42 in worse form than anybody realized.
According to Dave Meltzer within the newest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Orton is at the moment coping with bodily points that would affect the result of his WWE Championship match in opposition to Cody Rhodes — and will finally stop WWE from placing the title on him even when that was the plan heading into the weekend.
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The narrative across the match had appeared to level strongly in a single route. During the April 10 episode of SmackDown, Pat McAfee delivered a promo stating that if Orton did not defeat Rhodes, he would stroll away from WWE completely. That form of stipulation usually features as a near-guarantee of the other outcome, main most observers to conclude Orton was strolling out of Las Vegas as champion. Meltzer acknowledged as a lot in his report.
“Perhaps most notable in the McAfee promo is that he said that if Randy Orton doesn’t beat Cody Rhodes for the title, he will never do anything involving WWE again. Obviously, that is not happening. In fact, the only result, given that promo, that was completely clear is Orton winning almost.”
Credit: WWE
But Meltzer then launched the element that complicates that conclusion. “We were told that Orton is stealing, 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.”
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The logic is easy. Putting the WWE Championship on a performer who then must step away from tv creates issues for the title’s visibility and the programming constructed round it. Rhodes has been considered one of WWE’s most dependable constants on the high of the cardboard, and handing the belt to Orton solely to have him disappear from screens shortly after would undermine the momentum the championship has carried all through this run.
That mentioned, Meltzer’s report additionally notes that WWE’s plans past WrestleMania nonetheless seem to incorporate Orton in an lively function. The tag crew match pitting Jelly Roll and Rhodes in opposition to McAfee and Orton stays on the books to headline Backlash on May 9 in Tampa, which suggests WWE isn’t at the moment planning for Orton to take an prolonged absence instantly following the occasion.
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