8-Time WWE Champion May Cost Randy Orton WrestleMania Title Match
At WrestleMania 42, Randy Orton has the chance to become a 15-time WWE world champion.
The last time Orton was the singles champion was in October 2020 when he beat Drew McIntyre at Hell in a Cell. However, his reign lasted only 22 days, with The Scottish Warrior retaining his belt on the November 16 episode of Raw in a no disqualification match.
The Viper became the #1 Contender this time around by winning the Elimination Chamber match on February 28. In the closing minutes, McIntyre interrupted and attacked Cody Rhodes, who in turn hit McIntyre with the Cross Rhodes.
Orton immediately capitalized on Rhodes’ distraction by taking him out with an RKO for the victory.
McIntyre’s interference led to him being forced to defend his WWE Championship against Rhodes on last week’s SmackDown, which the Scot lost, thus dropping his title to The American Nightmare.
Randy Orton shared a video on X of himself watching the match, which he captioned, “See you next week in Phoenix, @CodyRhodes.”
Sami Zayn Could Cost Randy Orton Dearly At WrestleMania
Sami Zayn is someone who is currently on the verge of turning heel after failing to earn a spot in the title picture.
Zayn is often featured in backstage segments, complaining about an unfair system and how Cody Rhodes has earned title shots despite not qualifying for them through the Royal Rumble or the Elimination Chamber.
On last week’s SmackDown, the 41-year-old was also featured in a segment with Randy Orton, who advised him to ‘listen to the voices in his head.’
Sam Roberts of the Notsam Wrestling podcast believes that Zayn might use Orton’s advice against him at WrestleMania.
Maybe Sami gets involved in the title match. What if Sami screws Randy out of the title at WrestleMania? What if Sami gets selfish? If Sami gets selfish and Cody knowingly accepts the help from Sami Zayn and beats Randy, and now you’re drifting towards Cody having a little bit more edge and Randy and Sami having a rivalry. I feel like somehow you gotta get to Sami Zayn taking Randy’s advice against Randy. [1:14:43 onwards]